Something From Nothing

Is space the final frontier for art as well as for science? “Space Is the Place,” a traveling group show now at the Contemporary Arts Center, explores artists’ response to space-age issues in 34 works organized and circulated by Independent Curators International. “This is a perfect exhibition to speak about the fact that contemporary art reflects the world we life in,” said Raphaela Platow, CAC’s chief curator, in a press release. “This is also an imaginative show, miraculous, and at times, challenging; a show that broadens our minds about a subject that captures our fascination – outer space.” Highlights include large-scale painting by self-described “space junkie,” astronomer and skateboarder Lia Halloran, who used real-life photography of women skateboarders, re-contextualized into space travel to depict the physics involved. Oleg Kulilk’s life-like wax replica Cosmonaut (2003) wears an authentic Soviet spacesuit and helmet and hangs suspended, grinning wildly and moving slowly in space, representing a space-oriented society in cultural freefall. Adam Ross’ series of paintings “The City at the Edge of Time” combine both realistic and abstract images against bright color fields to represent hyper-technological futuristic civilizations of our imagination. “Space Is the Place” also includes new works from Laurie Anderson relating to her musical/performance pieces inspired during her time as NASA’s first artist-in-residence, highlight the importance of imagination and dreaming in the quest for space travel. “As our nation agonizes over global warming and geopolitical conflict, outer space emerges as a destination of refuge and peace,” co-curator Toby Kamps wrote in the catalogue. “Why at this especially earthbound moment is the art world thinking about space exploration? The future is not what it once was. Can you be nostalgic for the future?”