The Astronaut Aerobics Institute is a futuristic day spa prepping the body for space travel. This study was commissioned by MINI and Dezeen for the London Design Festival 2014, placing participants in a vacuum chamber deliberately isolating the senses, reducing tension and anxiety in the body. Drawing inspiration from NASA’s 1960’s invention for a lower body negative pressure device, this deep–pressure device can be used to treat disorders like autism and depression and has physiological effects by instantaneously dilating capillaries and sending fresh oxygen to blood cells, enhancing blood flow and skin appearance. This project is the first of Lucy’s artistic research exploring the implications zero gravity has on the body and prototyping positive ways to effect the physiology of the brain and body. www.lucymcrae.net/prepping-the-body-for-space/ Concept / Director –Lucy McRae Executive Producer – Pollyanna Whitman Producer – Valtteri Laihanen Cinematography – La Familia Original Music – Zelig Sound Voiceover – Lucy McRae Edit and Grade – La Familia Vacuum Chamber | Art Department – James Tattersall and Thomas Duggan Art Department Assistant – Joe Fitzgerald Directors Assistant – Lesley Ann Daly Gaffer – Didac Perez Olympic Synchronised Swimmers – Katie Dawkins and Jodie Cowie Behind the Scenes – Leandro Santini Special thanks – Aquabatix Professional Synchronised Swimming, Alexandros Tsolakis, George Konstantinou, Owen Burley, Calum Evans, Shardae-Rose Angel, Aneliese Ryan, Abi Green, Lesley-Ann Daly, Serhan Ahmet, Ansha Jin, Ashling Smith, Mia Ventin, Anna Nazo and Thomas Ermacora