What We Know About the Moon
Thursday, July 28
Show starts at 6:00
Art Opening
About What We Know About the Moon
Thursday, July 28th - September 5th
Opening Reception: 6 pm - 8 pm Thursday, July 28th
What we know about the moon
(aka we don't know a damn thing about the surface of the moon) The
exhibition is the product of research about the moon as an image. It takes
its title from a 1962 White House recording of John F. Kennedy discussing
with his scientific advisors national policy and his aim to make a landing
on the moon the "highest priority." The discussion exposes a clear rift
between the scientific community and the political one. The discussion
considers the risks and the advantages with scientists emphasizing more
space discovery and analysis and Kennedy emphasizing the political necessity
of the moon landing as such. While the scientists argued for a more
restrained utilization of budget resources with the political bonus of
pre-eminence in space, Kennedy argued "I think everything we do ought to be
really tied in to getting on the ahead of the Russians."
Insofar as Kennedy's determination succeeded, the story brings up
interesting questions about the intersection of politics, science, beauty,
and culture and the production of knowledge. The project for this
exhibition is to introduce with video the actual conversation and debate
with video footage of the moon and pictures that explore what the moon is as
an image and what we know about it.
Peter Macapia's work looks at the way in which matter and culture are formed
from basic forms or concepts of turbulence, difference in pressure, or
contradiction and conflict. He has exhibited and taught internationally.
He studied Fine Art at Rhode Island School of Design and Theory and
Criticism at Columbia University. He currently teaches at Pratt in New York
and Sci-Arc in Los Angeles.
Peter will be donating the proceeds from the sale of the original pieces in
this show to Opus 118: The Harlem School of Music, which is dedicated to
providing high quality music instruction to New York City children. To
learn more about this amazing school, visit: www.opus118.org/