ARTSPACE 304 RECEIVES MAJOR SIMONS FOUNDATION GRANT TO FUND SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 EXHIBITION
Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/27/2024 - 04/13/2024
12:00 am
Categories
Artspace 304 is partnering with SIU Professors Antonio Martinez and Bob Baer to create Passing through Shadow, a multi-month, multicultural, multidisciplinary public arts and science project that will be open to the public from January 27 through April 13, 2024. This extraordinary program is made possible from a significant gift from the Simons Foundation.
The fascinating installation pays homage to the imaginative narratives our ancestors created when their understanding of the natural world was confounded by the solar eclipse phenomena. Martinez’ installation includes a sampling of these cultural narratives and images, combined with high tech photography, and scientific facts which, taken together, demonstrate the event’s significant influence on communities, beliefs, and individuals. He uses a series of glass plates to show the solar corona in 3D, as it exists in space rather than the 2D depictions typically seen. Multiple “grottos” will contain images and folklore of eclipses from past eras.
To complement the art installation, Artspace 304 plans a series of talks exploring celestial science and history, concerts for all ages, and make and take art projects for children. The public reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition is scheduled for January 27, 2024. Gallery hours throughout the exhibit will be extended to accommodate the general public’s interest as well as field trips of school children, senior citizens, and others.
“The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society and Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. Through our initiatives, we work to inspire a feeling of awe and wonder, foster connections between people and science, and support environments that provide a sense of belonging. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Through our work we make space for scientific discovery.” For more information, visit inthepathoftotality.org
Artspace 304 supports Southern Illinois’ diverse and vibrant cultural arts community by growing leadership, education, funding, connections, and regional economic development.