In 1610 Galileo viewed the sky through a newly invented telescope and his observations marked a major turning point in the way that we view the world. 'The Starry Messenger', the current exhibition at Compton Verney Gallery, Warwickshire, looks at artists' visions of the universe and its continuing influence on the imagination.
Steve McQueen, Astronaut, 2002
It begins with Galileo's book, Sidereus Nuncius (The Starry Messenger), and his subsequent meeting with the poet John Milton, as described in the epic poem Paradise Lost. The exhibition explores the dreams and imagination of a Western culture through the visionary paintings of William Blake, John Martin and Odilon Redon, via the utopian worlds and dilemmas posed by science fiction, to contemporary works that question man's knowledge of life on earth.
Paul McDevitt, Flatness Problem, 2006
'The Starry Messenger' brings together historical and contemporary work exploring the way science and technology shape the way we think about the world as well as considering the artist's role as transmitter of these ideas.
Fred Tomaselli, Fungi and Flowers, 2002
The exhibition will include paintings, drawings, photography, music, sculpture and large-scale video installations, as well as a collection of science fiction magazines. Artists in the exhibition will include Glenn Brown, John Cage, John Flamsteed, Graham Gussin, David A. Hardy, William Kentridge, Steve McQueen, Aleksandra Mir, Heather and Ivan Morison, John Murphy, John Russell, Bridget Smith, Wolfgang Tillmans and Fred Tomaselli. It will also feature commissioned work by Paul McDevitt and Mark Titchner.
'The Starry Messenger' is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue, with a specially commissioned essay by the acclaimed science fiction writer Brian Aldiss.
Some special events have been scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition:
'Amidst Saturn's Light Stream'
Sunday 27 and Monday 28 August, 12pm
A performance of a Science Fiction version of A Midsummer Night's Dream by Coventry University students.
Free with admission to the gallery.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Saturday 2 September, 8pm
Experience Stanley Kubrick's spectacular with the night sky as a backdrop.
Released during the height of the space race and hailed as the most influential film of it's time and genre, the film explores man's exploration of space through a surreal vision of the future.
Outdoor film screening. Please bring your own seating.
£5 / concessions £3.50
'THE STARRY MESSENGER', to 10 September
Compton Verney
Warwickshire
CV35 9HZ, England
T +44 (0)1926 645500
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