One Billion Objects in Space' was a site-specific temporary sculpture by Tania Kovats developed through the artist's research and collaboration with the University of Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy. The work was inspired in particular by the Institute's work on the GAIA mission which aims to chart a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way. This site-specific sculpture was located in an agricultural barn at Gravel Hill Farm opposite the new offices of the North West Cambridge Development.
In 'One Billion Objects in Space' Kovats mapped and represented outer space in a sculptural context. Using metal donated by local communities of Cambridge she constructed an installation that represented a sculptural universe.
The work engaged with the two dynamics of expansion and contraction that are present in the universe, inviting us to reflect on big numbers and the complexities of mapping the universe.
'One Billion Objects in Space' was open to the public to view during three weekends in June 2014.
Tania's residency culminated in a public conversation with Professor Gilmore from the Institute of Astronomy, which took place at the Contemporary Art Society in London in June 2014. In this talk Professor Gilmore and Tania Kovats looked back over the year and discussed the history of mapping the stars as well as the cultural implications of Gaia.
Links
Click here to watch a video of Tania Kovats and Professor Gilmore in conversation.
www.gaia.ac.uk
