Monthly Archive for October, 2007

I would be remiss in my moniker/brand as “kosmonaut” if I didn’t mention Sputnik Day! Today is the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, which began the US/Soviet space race. There are many international events planned, and I wish I was in LA so I could attend this:

GMT Fri Oct. 5, 2007 at 02:00 am | Local Time: Thu Oct. 4, 07:00 pm
Los Angeles – Tenzin Phuntsog and M&A – FILM SCREENINGS & MOLECULAR DINNER
Materials & Applications Landscape and Architecture Research (M&A) will host an evening of Russian space-age molecular cuisine and film screenings under the canopy of Density Fields, a work in progress by Oyler-Wu Collaborative (http://oylerwu.com/). Special effects for the evening designed by infranatural (www.infranatural.com). The dinner is a private event – the film screening will be open to subscribers only – see http://www.emanate.org/ma-support.htm for information on how to become a subscriber! Screening of the documentary “Out of the present” and “Satland”. Address: Materials & Applications, 1619 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, http://www.emanate.org

I’ve always been fascinated with outer space, especially the Russian space program. In 1997 while thinking of a name for my company/art brand/identity, it came to me – “kosmonaut” – the Russian spelling for “cosmonaut.” It’s written in Russian as “Космонавт.” It was a combination of my fascination with the Russian space program and outer space, and liking the idea of taking creative concepts further – astronauts and cosmonauts go places where many people don’t go, and I’ve always identified with that. Also, it’s just a cool name.

Other related items: the Beat Museum right here in SF has some parts they claim are from Sputnik, but it’s highly debatable as it was always believed that Sputnik burned up on reentry. Also, my friend sfslim has a really nifty Sputnik helmet, seen in this YouTube video and this photo by Scott Beale.