Hubble Telescope RAW image

 

Project Curation

Ulrike Kuchner is professionally trained and qualified
in both art and science. She is a post-doctoral astrophysicist,
practicing artist, curator and creative producer, based at the
University of Nottingham.
Nicola Rae is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and works
at University of the Arts London. She engages with
scientific processes and data in her artwork.
Artists will be paired with scientists that are open to
this extended transdisciplinary experiment. We will seek
advice from diverse and inclusive groups for guidance,
support and involvement.

 

Funded by

Science & Technology Facilities Council
Spark Award for Public Engagement

Lewisham Creative Change (part of the
Mayor's London Borough of Culture)

 

Partners

Jazmin Morris, Dominic Galliano,
Karel Green and Julia Piekarczyk with
UAL Creative Computing Institute Tech Yard staff
Ana Marques and Finn Weaver.

Metafuturism Lab led by Mona Nasser with
CHAMELEON Network and Demelza Woodbridge

Jane Hendrie, LEAN
(Lewisham Education Arts Network)

 

Participant collaborators

Anshuman Gupta

Agatha Haines

Ulrike Kuchner

Monica LoCascio

Alistair McClymont

Mona Nasser and Metafuturism Lab

Nicola Rae

SEADS (Space, Ecologies, Art and Design)

Rita Tojeiro

Amaury Triaud

Roberto Trotta (to be confirmed)

Silke Weinfurtner and Gravity Lab

Demelza Woodbridge

 

SPACE Lab is a year-long project that will show an expanded field of experiments as artworks co-developed by artists with astronomers. Many art science collaborations are not as co-creative as they could be. It is our intention to initiate artist-astronomer projects that question the notion that art cannot engage significantly with science beyond communication of research for public engagement.

For scientific institutions or organisations, such collaborations are often perceived as “art in the service of science” where outcomes of art-science collaborations are primarily seen as a means to communicate difficult scientific concepts to the public. It is rare that art becomes an acknowledged, integral ingredient in producing scientific knowledge. (Kuchner, 2022)

Art and science share curiosity driven questions and both rely heavily on creativity. These connections are largely overlooked due to structural differences between the disciplines that influence artists and scientists from their education onwards. Despite their differences, both art and science are about creating and exploring new knowledge.

SPACE Lab creates a place that encourages conversation, exploration and serendipity. Artists and scientists will work together on specific research areas during the duration of the project. Over the next year we will facilitate in-depth conversations between artists and astronomers and help to integrate their understanding of research questions to create opportunities for co- creative experimentation and risk taking. The groups will have time to communicate their positions and questions, and the year-long process will allow for important periods of individual thinking and making between these exchanges. Time and space for discussion will be encouraged to enable experimentation, contemplation, questioning and understanding towards each other.

The research outcomes of SPACE Lab will be presented during a two-week long exhibition at APT Gallery in Deptford, South London, followed by a week-long gallery ‘take-over’ by young people from the local area. Throughout the year, SPACE Lab will initiate meaningful co-creative opportunities for diverse young people from socioeconomically deprived areas of Lewisham. Astronomy can be perceived as an elitist subject that is not open to applicants from all backgrounds particularly those with low science capital. This project will challenge this assumption and partner with an exciting team of professionals to achieve this aim.

The project will provide a multi-layered programme of a number of interdisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) initiatives to 'Wonder Initiative' school children and the general public. One example is that our program aligns with the preparation for the launch of the European Space Agency's next big space telescope mission, Euclid, for which we will have access to spacecraft models at 1:4 scale to use during events. An exciting team of creative computing artists, performance artists and scientists will lead workshops that link technology, creativity and science towards an art astronomy exhibition.

 

 

Participating Local Schools

Beecroft Garden Primary School

Deptford Green School (Secondary)

St Josephs Catholic Primary School

Turnham Academy (Primary)

 

Participating University Courses (to be confirmed)