Conquest of Space: Science Fiction & Contemporary Art

Conquest of Space: Science Fiction & Contemporary Art reveals previously unexplored intersections between science fiction (SF) and art. Science fiction and art have long been connected by a set of related interests such as technology and formal expressions. Science fiction in its most popular manifestations, such as literature and cinema, expresses cultural anxieties and desires through a set of concepts, tropes and themes shared with the visual arts.

This exhibition features more than 40 artworks exploring important stories in the history of the science fiction genre.

This multi-faceted project is presented in partnership with ABC TV, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the College of Fine Arts, UNSW; and is led by the exhibition curator, documentary host and COFA lecturer, Dr Andrew Frost.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

The Conquest of Space exhibition is a component of wider project incorporating an ABC1 TV documentary, a symposium at the College of Fine Arts (COFA Campus), and a science fiction film program at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

CURATOR TALK

Dr. Andrew Frost is an art critic, writer, broadcaster and lecturer. In 2007 Frost wrote and presented the three part series The Art Life for ABC1 followed by a second series in 2009. His latest project, Conquest of Space: Science Fiction & Contemporary Art, includes an exhibition at the College of Fine Arts (COFA), a TV documentary to be screened on ABC1, and a film program at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Join Andrew for this floor talk examining the overall Conquest of Space project.

When: Wed, May 28, 1pm
Where: UNSW Galleries, COFA Campus

SCIENCE FICTION SYMPOSIUM 

The symposium will explore topics including the following:

• Science fiction and contemporary art
• Science fiction and the work of individual contemporary artist[s]
• Science fiction as a visual experience
• Formulations of the “future” and how it relates to the creation of art, film, games
• Critical and theoretical readings of science fiction film, art, games etc
• The examination of SF tropes, concepts etc as they relate to narrative in media
• Science fiction and its influence on sound art, soundtracks, and music
• The study of genre with specific reference to SF
• Considerations of the nature of visuality as it relates to generic SF or quasi-generic objects such as works of art, examples of design and architecture
• Any more general papers related to SF in literature, film or other media

Following the symposium, a special screening of Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty (1970) and Charles and Ray Eames’ The Powers of Ten, 1977 will take place.

When: Sat, June 14, 9am – 5pm
Where: COFA Lecture Theatre, EGO2, COFA Campus 
Registration: publicrelations@cofa.unsw.edu.au

CONQUEST OF SPACE FUTURE SCREEN

Film program at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and COFA, UNSW.

Cinematic science fiction (SF) has grown from a B movie genre into a series of world-dominating entertainment franchises. While the mainstream SF blockbuster is predictably conservative and presents variations on well-worn formulas, SF cinema over the last 15 years has also produced a series of intriguing and thoughtful films that revisit some of the genre’s most popular concepts – from the giant monster movie to the time travel puzzler, from the cutting satire to the romantic dystopia.

See the full film program here.

When: May, June, July 
Where: The Domain Theatre, Art Gallery of New South Wales and COFA, UNSW