In 2001, after having spent several years designing scientific illustrations for educational purposes, I started experimenting with graphic design, digital photography, and Photoshop work to express my interest in astronomy through art. Resulting examples of these early experiments were published in two books by Serbian science communicator, Natasa Stanic, including the cover of her second astronomy book. These days my astronomy-inpsired artwork is restricted to photocomposites where I combine astronomical vistas (usually by the Hubble Space Telescope) with images I have taken of terrestrial landscapes. Through this artwork, I seek to create visually appealing images to provoke curiosity and a sense of wonder about the Earth and the Universe. This led me to motion graphics and to start producing science and music films in 2005, initially while working at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and currently as Executive and Artisitic Director of KV 265.

 

Although I continue to enjoy combining images from NASA's Great Observatories with my own, these days my photocomposites mainly consist of combining multiple images of the night sky into one. This usually achieved taking time-lapse sequences and then stacking all the images to show star trails. These experiments had led to me develop several techniques, both in situ and in post-processing.

 

The Science & Symphony project consists of live performances of classical music works accompanied by high-definition science films produced specifically for these works. By partnering with symphony orchestras, scientific and educational institutions, this project connects disciplines such as astronomy, photography, music, and dance to increase the understanding and appreciation of these uniquely human endeavors, and open them to ever-broader international audiences. To date, the Science & Symphony films have reached more than 250,000 in concert halls and educational institutions spanning more than 50 cities in 15 countries.

Gustav Holst's The Planets is a suite of seven high-definition short films produced to accompany live performances of the popular orchestral suite. Each of the short films in this critically-acclaimed suite includes awe-inspiring images of the featured planet, historical illustrations, space visualizations from NASA and ESA, as well as animations by the film's director. The film is not intended to be seen as a documentary but rather as an art piece that aims to inspire audiences and encourage them to learn more about our solar system and the Universe.

Review
"[the] memorable accompanying video couldn't have been a more striking complement to Holst's score ...each planet got its own mini-movie that had the crowd as absorbed in a production than any other classical multimedia show in recent memory." Chicago Sun Times, August 2008.

Awards
AstroFilm Festival Piestany, Audience Award, Piestany, Slovakia

 

The Universe at an Exhibition is a film that takes viewers through virtual galleries featuring awe-inspiring, art-like images, and science visualizations (NASA, ESA, NCSA, ESO) of the cosmos as well as the Director's own astrophotography. As the camera moves towards the works of art, audience members find themselves entering space through pictures and flying past Earth, planets, stars, black holes, and galaxies. As in other Science & Symphony productions, the film follows the character and tempo of the music, resulting in an experience in which the music and visuals reinforce each other instead of competing for the viewer's attention.

Review
"The nature of the images alternated between ersatz video-game graphics and breathtakingly real satellite shots; who could have imagined that Mussorgsky's famous 1874 suite would be so ideally suited for both of them." Chicago Sun Times, May 2008.

Awards
Teatro de Rojas Best Concert of Season Award, Toledo, Spain

 

Moonrise explores mankind's eternal fascination with Luna or the Moon, Earth’s only natural satellite. Following the character and tempo of the two beautiful orchestral suites from Daphnis et Chloé by Maurice Ravel, this film takes the audience on a journey through history and space. As it has for ages, the Moon stands at the intersection of art and science motivating scientists, guiding explorers, inspiring artists and writers, and fascinating all who see it. The film features lunar images and time-lapse photography, historical illustrations, as well as NASA scientific visualizations.

 

Throughout history, the ethereal Northern Lights have been a source of beauty and fascination for mankind. Taking as inspiration, a Canadian children’s story, The Legend of the Northern Lights is a fusion of science and fantasy that recognizes both the cultural stories surrounding the auroras and the science that causes them. The work seamlessly combines music, film and narration, taking the audience on a spectacular journey beginning above the Earth, to the Sun, and to the far reaches of sub-arctic Canada. The film features NASA photography of the auroras from space as well as original time-lapse photography shot on location in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

 

Admire from dusk until dawn the ethereal beauty of the mysterious aurora borealis in this short film set to aurora-inspired music by Canadian composer John Estacio. Shot during seven nights in Yellowknife, Canada every single frame of this film is a photograph of this fascinating phenomenon.

 

Over the Beautiful Blue Planet showcases the beauty of our planet as captured by astronauts aboard the space shuttle and the International Space Station. Impressive footage of land, sea, lightning storms, and aurorae are choreographed to the tempo of the popular Viennese waltz At the beautiful blue Danube.

Review
"The background images of the Earth's atmosphere, the cloud bursts and the city lights below were often so breathtaking that the music seemed all but forgotten. That's always the danger of mixing pure music with extra-musical materials in performance, but in this case it's so well-executed that no one should complain." Classical Voice

 

As in Over the Beautiful Blue Planet, Around the Earth in 90 Minutes also showcases the beauty of our planet and the Moon as captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Impressive time-lapse photography of land, sea, lightning storms and aurorae are choreographed to the tempo of Un bal from Symphonie fantastique.

 

Just as it has inspired artists, a beautiful moonrise over a landscape inspires people all over the world. This short film explores the universality of the Moon as photographed from multiple locations around the planet and set to the impressionist music of Claude Debussy.