Art Blog #2: How Saying "Hello" Inspired the Creation of My Sculptures

Hello Out There!

Saying hello is a universal gesture, an acknowledgment of another’s presence, a connection initiated. The history of art could arguably begin with this same concept. Imagine the first humans raising their hands, leaving a colored print on cave walls. That simple act of recognition, a declaration of “I am here,” was perhaps one of humanity’s earliest forms of self-expression and visual communication. Across millennia, this primal urge to connect has found countless forms, from cave paintings to abstract sculptures, each echoing a fundamental human need to reach out, to say, “Hello.”

Why Did I Pick The Word “Hello”

Interestingly, the word “hello” itself often carries less weight than the act of saying it. In many cultures, greetings take the form of questions: “How are you?” or “What’s new?” Ironically, these questions rarely demand an actual answer. They’re simply a mechanism to open dialogue. It’s this seemingly mundane act of acknowledgment that becomes extraordinary when explored through the lens of science fiction and art—fields that thrive on imagining connections across time, space, and species. Without words, because the actual language just won´t cut it.

Consider how pivotal “hello” moments are in the world of science fiction. Think of Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The iconic communication sequence between humans and extraterrestrials uses a series of lights and tones—a visual and auditory hello—to establish a shared language. The scene encapsulates a profound idea: that art and visual communication are deeply connected. Art, like language, bridges gaps between vastly different experiences, whether they be cultural, historical, or even interstellar.

Isaac Asimov

Similarly, Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day offers a fascinating take on first contact. In the film, a helicopter outfitted with an animated light panel sequence of flashing lights attempts to greet an alien spacecraft. Though the intention is to establish a friendly connection, the response—a devastating attack—reminds us that communication is as much about reception as it is about transmission. These cinematic moments underscore the universal importance of reaching out, even in the face of uncertainty. You can't find a better example than mentioning Isaac Asimov's Electric Pump novel, where a communication channel is arbitrarily considered either a means of connection or a tool of annihilation.

The artistic world often mirrors these sci-fi explorations of connection. Sculptures and installations, for instance, frequently serve as symbolic gestures of greeting or acknowledgment. Modern art, in particular, embraces the abstract—using shapes, textures, and space to convey messages that words cannot. As an artist working with steel, I’ve found inspiration in this dynamic interplay of form and meaning. My sculptures, many of which draw from space exploration and paleontology, are a way of saying “hello” to the unknown. They are invitations to imagine, to explore, to connect.

Little Green Men

But let’s not stop at fiction and sculpture. The universe itself has said hello in ways both surprising and profound. Take Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s groundbreaking discovery in 1967. While studying radio signals, she detected an unusual, repeating pattern - a signal from space. Initially thought to be a potential extraterrestrial greeting, it was later identified as the first pulsar. This celestial phenomenon, a rapidly spinning neutron star, became a reminder that the cosmos is alive with its own forms of communication. It’s these moments of discovery that fuel the imaginations of astrophotographers, artists, and science enthusiasts alike.

For me, the phrase “Hello out there!” has become a kind of mantra, a way of acknowledging the vastness of the universe and the creative energy it inspires. It’s a nod to the X-Files era of curiosity and wonder, a playful yet sincere embrace of the unknown. Whether you’re an artist crafting sculptures inspired by the Rosette Nebula or a fan of science fiction movies, this shared fascination with “out there” unites us. And isn’t that the essence of art? To create connections, to spark curiosity, to say, “I see you.”

This idea of transmission, of sending a signal, is central to both art and communication. Just as a blog post or a sculpture seeks to engage its audience, so too does every “hello”. It’s not about the specific words or medium used; it’s about the act of reaching out. As I build this blog into a regular space for exploring art, sculpture, and the mysteries of the universe, I find myself returning to this simple yet profound idea. What does it mean to send a signal? What does it mean to be received?

Saying “Hello” In Social Media

In the digital age, saying hello has taken on new forms. Social media, podcasts, and blogs are today’s cave walls, platforms where we leave our marks and connect with others. Take bloggers like Nick Loper or podcasters like Jered Robinson, who’ve turned casual greetings into personal trademarks. Their unique styles of saying hello have become a kind of signature, a way of standing out in the vast digital universe. This personalization of connection is something I deeply admire and hope to emulate in my own work.

Art and sculpture, particularly those inspired by space, offer a unique lens through which to explore these themes. Space-themed sculptures, for example, often evoke the vastness of the cosmos while grounding viewers in their own humanity. They challenge us to think about our place in the universe and the ways we communicate across distances—whether those distances are physical, cultural, or conceptual. By incorporating elements like light, movement, and abstract forms, these works become more than objects; they become experiences, conversations, and connections.

Saying “Hello” means to connect

As I continue to explore these ideas through my sculptures and writing, I’m struck by how much we all share this fundamental desire to connect. Whether it’s through a pulsar’s rhythmic signal, a sculpture’s graceful curve, or a simple “hello,” the act of reaching out is universal. It’s what drives our creativity, fuels our curiosity, and defines our humanity.

So, here’s my signal: Hello out there! Whether you’re an astrophotographer capturing the Rosette Nebula, an artist inspired by the Pillars of Creation, or a sci-fi enthusiast dreaming of first contact, this space is for you. Let’s explore, create, and connect. After all, the most important thing isn’t the words we use but the act of reaching out. And who knows? Perhaps one day, the universe will answer back.

Peter Von Hauerland