Episode 04: Between Worlds: Art as Our Cultural Connection to the Cosmos

Episode Description

Space is getting louder - but who’s being heard?

Artist and founder of KOSMICA Institute, Nahum joins Aisha for a no-fluff conversation about why the space industry needs a reality check. From rooftop beginnings in Mexico City to pushing back against billionaires and brand-driven space culture, Nahum brings perspective, humor, and unapologetic honesty.

From Western romanticism of the overview effect and performative DEI, to the Blue Origin backlash and how commercial space is copying Earth’s worst habits, this episode is for the creatives, the skeptics, and anyone who has felt unsure about the rapid progress of the new space age.

Time Stamps / Chapters

00:00 – Rooftop Beginnings in Mexico

How Nahum’s childhood shaped a lifelong fascination with the sky and imagination.

04:49 – From Underground Theatre to Orbit

The origin of Nahum’s career in art and space, and how KOSMICA Institute was born.

09:20 – Space Art: Then vs Now

How artist access to space is evolving and the rise of corporate gatekeeping.

16:35 – When Profit Meets the Cosmos

Nahum unpacks the ethical tension between critical art and commercial space ventures.

22:36 – Is the Overview Effect Overhyped?

Reframing the space experience from orbit… and Earth.

30:57 – Where Did the Humanities Go?

On ISU’s changing curriculum, disappearing diversity, and the future of space education.

37:47 – Inclusion or Illusion?

What DEI in space really demands and why meaningful change must go beyond websites and mission statements.

47:16 – The Blue Origin Backlash

Why critiques of the all-female flight are misdirected and where the real accountability belongs.

57:09 – How to Join the Space Art Community

Where to begin if you’re creative, curious, and want in on the cosmos.

Guest Bio

Nahum is an artist and musician. His work frequently incorporates space technologies, illusionism, and hypnosis to transport audiences on otherworldly journeys that spark critical dialogues about existence. He is the Founder of KOSMICA Institute, a space organisation with a mission to create a platform for critical, cultural, and poetic discourse about our relationship to the Universe, space activities, and their impact on Earth.

As a leading voice in the space-art world, Nahum has drawn global attention to the intersection of space and culture, advocating for deeper inclusion of the arts in space exploration.

🔗 Guest Links

• Instagram: @nahumartist
• Website: KOSMICA Institute