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 looks at artists' visions of the universe and its continuing influence on the imagination.

The exhibition 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.

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.

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.

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Collection Artist(s)

Glossary

  • Contemporary

    Existing or coming into being at the same period; of today or of the present. The term that designates art being made today.

  • Sculpture

    A three-dimensional work of art. Such works may be carved, modelled, constructed, or cast. Sculptures can also be described as assemblage, in the round, relief, and made in a huge variety of media. Contemporary practice also includes live elements, as in Gilbert & George 'Living Sculpture' as well as broadcast work, radio or sound sculpture.

  • Video

    Images recorded on videotape or on optical disc to be viewed on television screens, or projected onto screens. The medium through which these images are recorded and displayed.