Republic of the Moon. Bringing together space dreamers from the European Space Agency to anarchist, autonomous astronauts, Bargehouse will be transformed into an Earth-based embassy for a 'Republic of the Moon'.
As the Moon once again becomes hot property, 40 years after it was first walked on, a group of artists are declaring a Republic of the Moon. In a provocative pre-emptive action these artists will re-examine the relationship we as earthlings have with our planet's only natural satellite.
With works by Liliane Lijn, Leonid Tishkov, Katie Paterson, Agnes Meyer-Brandis, WE COLONISED THE MOON and other international artists, the exhibition combines personal encounters, DIY space plans, imaginary expeditions, and the new myths for the next space age. Bargehouse will be filled with performances, workshops, music, talks, playful protests against lunar exploitation and a Pop Rock Moon Shop by Super/Collider.
Expect a revival of bishop Francis Godwin's book Man in the Moone written in 1638, where a protagonist flies to the moon on a chariot towed by 'Moon geese'. Agnes Meyer-Brandis has raised 11 moon geese from birth in Italy, giving them astronaut's names, training them to fly and taking them on expeditions. As yet they have not travelled to the moon, but visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the award-winning documentary Moon Geese Analogue: Luna Bird Migration Facility.
Katie Paterson's Earh-Moon-Earth is a form of radio transmission whereby messages are sent in morse code from Earth reflected from the surface of the Moon and then received back on earth. The Moon only reflects part of the information as some of it is absorbed by shadows, or craters. Paterson has aptly chosen Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata to be translated into morse code. The returning 'score' will be performed on a self-playing grand piano.
Liliane Lijn explores the repeating cycle of the Moon's phases in moonmeme. Lijn's hopes to project the words SHE onto the lunar surface, representing the feminine principal of transformation and renewal. Due to the extreme technical challenge of projecting onto the Moon, Lijn has worked with an astronomer to present real-time animation of the projection.
Leonid Tishkov's Private Moon tells the story of a man who met the Moon and stayed with her for the rest of his life. In a series of intimate photographs, the artist pairs images with his private moon with verse which describes how the Moon helps us to overcome our loneliness in the universe by uniting us around it. Tishkov and his illuminated moon have travelled the world together for almost 10 years.
WE COLONISED THE MOON will be the artists in residence throughout the exhibition, creating work and running talks and workshops. They will be co-ordinating protests against the exploitation of the Moon and working with scientists to look afresh at our closest celestial neighbour.
Moon Vehicle is a project devised by the students at Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore India with artist Joanna Griffin.
Republic of the Moon is an experience like no other, allowing every visitor to reconsider our relationship with the Moon and see it in a different, yet beautiful, light.
Bargehouse
Oxo Tower Wharf
South Bank, London
9th of January2014- 2nd of February 2014
Admission free
