Odd Salon NYC: STELLAR

Stories of astronomical discoveries and bad omens from the skies, Hollywood stars falling from grace, earth shattering objects falling from space, and how us little humans make sense of it all. Curated by Fellow J.R. Pepper:

 Alexander Razo- Meyers

Illuminating the Stars of Screen: Karl Freund, and the Evolution of Cinema Lighting

One person who spans the arc from the beginnings of cinema is Karl Freund, German cinematographer who ties early film history together demonstrating the essential nature of the art and craft of cinematography (and things so basic as moving the camera in a scene) from pre-sound film, to "Metropolis,” to the comparative modernity of "I Love Lucy.”

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Rain Wiegartner

Jack Parsons is Ludicrous

In the 1930s and 40s, an eccentric rocket scientist founds one of the vitally important research institutions that brought humanity into space. At the same time, he was also trying to start the apocalypse using sex magic.

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Sarah Grant

Galileo and his spoiled brat behavior that led to a feud with the Catholic Church.

Contrary to popular belief, Galileo was a spoiled brat academic who picked a fight with the Catholic Church when they were actually ok with the science (at least, in theory). Ironically, he originally thought he wanted to be a priest and sent his daughters to a convent. But spoiled brats are complex creatures who can't just leave well enough alone. 

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Amanda Harris

Shakespeare Supernova

When Shakespeare wrote of a new bright star to the west of the pole that appeared the same night as old King Hamlet’s ghost, many historians were baffled. Which bright star? Forensic Astronomers took the case to identify the star in question, and believe they found the answer!

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Maryellen DeVivo

The Man Who Fell to Earth? Nikola Tesla's Relationship with Air and Space

A star inventor who lit up the world, Nikola Tesla was one of the smartest and most fascinating individuals to ever inhabit this planet. This talk will focus on all things Tesla-related that travel through the air, including wireless communication, lightning, spaceships, and pigeons. 

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Carolyn Wise

We Know the Way: The Kon Tiki to Moana 2, Polynesian Celestial Navigation

No one knows where Polynesians first came from, but by 1000 BC they had covered over 6 million square miles of ocean. How did they do it?  They followed the stars.  You’re welcome.

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