History of space photography at WestLicht Gallery

VIENNA - WestLicht explores the infinite expanses of space. The exhibition gives a unique overview of the history of space photography, by featuring 150 spectacular photographs: from early 19th century black-and-white images of passing comets to the first photograph of Earth before the black-velvet background of the universe, all the way to the colour-drenched images delivered by modern high-resolution telescopes from the depths of our galaxy. In unheard-of clarity, Zero Gravity.

The History of Space Photography shows the mighty Saturn and its rings; the spacecraft “Galileo” and “Voyager 2” were able to transmit sensational images of Jupiter, the largest planet of our solar system, back to Earth.

Extraterrestrial life could be a subject of search for visitors in the numerous images of the red planet Mars. However, the gaze travels deeper into the infinity of space: stars and far-flung planetary systems, galaxies, star nebulae, supernovas and even black holes, pulsars and quasars – they all convey a fascinating impression of the unimaginable dimensions of the universe.

Space photography has long progressed from ground-based telescopes to space-based images. Images taken in different wavelengths, from X-rays to radio waves, enable us to make visible what would otherwise remain hidden to our eyes.

All this has resulted in important new insights into the nature of our planet Earth, its place in the solar system and indeed in the universe itself.

The exhibition is curated by Jay Belloli for California/International Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, California.