SPACE Lab presents an expanded field of experiments as artworks co-developed by artists with astrophysicists. This show is the outcome of a year-long process involving in-depth conversations between seven collaborative teams of artists and astrophysicists exploring current research. Co-creative juxtapositions that have emerged include exoplanetology and biodesign; speculative future scenarios and decolonisation; black holes and acoustic equivalence; structures of the universe and epigenetic memory; space travel and cultural immortality; dark matter and sensing the invisible; and terrestrial belonging and adaptation to hostility. This exhibition will show the results of these collaborations.
The show is co-curated by Ulrike Kuchner (astrophysicist, artist and creative producer) and Nicola Rae (artist and curator). Featuring the work of: Bio-designer Anshuman Gupta; exoplanetary astronomer Amaury Triaud; practitioner, researcher and lecturer Agi Haines; observational and theoretical astronomer Stephen Wilkins; mixed-media artist Monica LoCascio; astrophysicist, artist and interdisciplinary researcher of art-science Ulrike Kuchner; installation artist Alistair McClymont; astrophysicist Rita Tojeiro; artist Nicola Rae; Gravity Lab team led by Silke Weinfurtner including Theo Torres Vicente and Vitor Barroso Silviera; SEADS (Space Ecologies Art and Design) collective; evolutionary biologist Karine Van Doninck; multidisciplinary artist Demelza Woodbridge; Metafuturism Lab led by clinical epidemeologist Mona Nasser including Yvette Gonzalez and Sven Kiefer.
During this project and exhibition, an exciting team of professionals have created opportunities for young people from local communities in Lewisham. Tech Yard’s Creative Technologist Jazmin Morris has designed and led the ‘SPACE Labs: Stars in Your Eyes’ workshops in local schools working alongside astrophysicists Dominic Galliano, Karel Green and Ulrike Kuchner, with Stemette Julia Piekarczyk andUAL Tech Yard staff. The Metafuturism Lab led by Mona Nasser, in collaboration with exoplanetologists from the CHAMELEON laboratory and training network and artist Demelza Woodbridge, will engage young people in co-creating and acting out speculative future scenarios as science fiction narratives based on scientific and societal challenges.
