Air & Space
The Arts Catalyst has been investigating air and space exploration since 1997. It has commissioned many artists' projects and exhibitions, organised several interdisciplinary 'zero gravity' laboratories, is a founder member of the MIR network and is contracted by the European Space Agency to develop a cultural policy for the International Space Station.
The Arts Catalyst is a founder member of ITACCUS, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Technical Activities Committee on the Cultural Utilisation of Space, set up in 2008
Developing a Cultural Policy for the International Space Station (2005 ongoing)
The Arts Catalyst's work with the European Space Agency, developing the potential for cultural utilisation of the International Space Station programme.
Less Remote symposium (2008)
An international arts & humanities symposium on the futures of space at the International Astronautical Congress, Glasgow, Scotland
Bangalore Space and Culture Symposium (2007)
A gathering of philosophers, space scientists, educators, and artists to examine current themes at the intersection of space science, technology and arts.
The Artist as Space Explorer (2007)
An exhibition of art projects demonstrating the potential cultural dimension of space exploration was shown as part of a European Space Agency (ESA) and DLR ISEC space exploration conference in Berlin, Germany, with works by Tomas Saraceno, Marko Peljhan, Kitsou Dubois, Tim Otto Roth, Simon Faithfull and others.
2nd International Artists Airshow (2007)
A day of art and flying at Gunpowder Park, Essex, UK. With Ben Blakebrough, Tomas Saraceno, Ruth Maclennan, Hehe, Anne Bean, Sonia Khurana, Brandon Ballengee, Simon Faithfull, Janette Parris
Space Soon (2006)
A major art event exploring the cultural aspects of space exploration at the Roundhouse, London, with exhibition, conference, performances and workshops. Major new commissions from Aleksandra Mir, N55/Neal White, London Fieldworks, Jerry Dammers, Michelle Griffiths. With Laurie Anderson and Apollo astronaut Alan Bean.
Kate Tierney - CAPS Artist in Residence (2005-6)
Residency at the Centre for Astrophysics & Planetary Research (CAPS), University of Kent
Zero Gravity -A Cultural Users Guide
New publication examining the Arts Catalyst/MIR's work with artists and scientists in zero gravity
The MIR Project (Microgravity Interdisciplinary Research) (2001 - 2004)
A consortium of European arts organisations which, under the leadership of The Arts Catalyst and Projekt Atol, organised a series of parabolic 'zero gravity' flights for artistic experimentation with the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, Star City Moscow. The programme was funded by the European Commission, the Arts Council of England and others.
Astro Black Morphologies - Flow Motion (2005)
Multimedia installation based in a dialogue between contemporary astronomy, digital art and electronic music.
Escape Vehicle No 6 - Simon Faithfull (2004)
Launching a chair to the edge of space.
Artists' Airshow (2004)
A day of art and flying in and around Europe's largest wind tunnel. Featuring work by Simon Faithfull, Anne Bean, Stefan Gec, Zina Kaye, Louise K Wilson, Tim Knowles, Flow Motion, Marko Peljhan, Luke Jerram, Miles Chalcraft
Open Source Encounters (2004)
Organised by Ellipse with the Arts Catalyst and Groupe Lara in Tours, France
With Ewen Chardronnet, Otolith Group, Arts Catalyst, Projekt Atol, Steve Kovats, Philippe Petit, Bernice & Barberi, Puna Syndicate, Hallucinator
Everything Normal (2003)
An evening of films recalling the early days of the space race. Programmed by Andrew Kotting, Louise K Wilson & Arts Catalyst. In association with Lux
Extremophiles (2003)
The Arts Catalyst’s 3rd International Science & Art Conference.
In association with the ICA, at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, London.
Performance of Marcelli Antunez Roca's Transpermia
MIR Exhibition (2003-5)
New works reflecting the utopian idealism that spurred the start of the space age and the enduring legacy of the Russian quest for Space. Stefan Gec, Vadim Fishkin, Andrew Kotting, Evgeni Nesterov, Yuri Leiderman, Otolith Group, Carey Young,
MIR Campaign 2003
European Commission-funded projects and research in variable gravity conditions on a parabolic flights and other facilities at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, Star City, Russia. Organised by the MIR network:
Otolith - Kodwo Eshun, Anjalika Sagar, Richard Couzins
Kapelgraf Zero-G - Vadim Fishkin
Kefir Grains Are Going Onto The Flight - Yuri Leiderman
Celestial Vault - Stefan Gec
Transpermia - Marcelli Antunez Roca
Ewen Chardronnet
Scientific research project - Rebecca Forth
Artists & Cosmonauts (2002)
Presenting new works from Arts Catalyst's MIR Flight 001, a multidisciplinary microgravity research laboratory for artists, scientists and philosophers at Star City, Russia. Premieres of work by Morag Wightman & Craos Mor, Ansuman Biswas & Jem Finer, Andrew Kotting, Andrey & Julia Velkanov, Masha Chuikova, Alexei Blinov and Flow Motion (Eddie George, Anna Piva, Trevor Mattison) plus talks/presentations by Anthony Bull, Marko Peljhan, Kevin Fong, Louise K Wilson, Mikhail Ryklin, Anna Alchuk, Alexei Blinov
Sergei Krikalev (2002).
Talk by legendary Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev.
A Dancer in Weightlessness (2002)
Kitsou Dubois presented the premiere of her film 'Trajectoire Fluide'. With talks by Bob Shroter, and Nick Davey, of the Biodynamics Group at Imperial College.
MIR Flight 001
The Arts Catalyst took a group of London and Russian artists, scientists and philosophers to Star City, Russia, to undertake projects in zero gravity:
Gravity: A Love Story - Morag Wightman & Craos Mor
Zero Genies - Jem Finer & Ansuman Biswas
Wave Particle - Jem Finer & Ansuman Biswas
Kosmos in Blue - Flow Motion
Too G - Andrew Kotting
Universal Substitute - Andrei & Julia Velkanov
Louise K Wilson
Anthony Bull
Mikhail Ryklin & Anna Alchuk
Masha Chuikova
Alexei Blinov
Diary of a Parabolic Flight
Mike Stubbs' Zero (2000)
Film work from Arts Catalyst''s first parabolic 'zero gravity' flight.
Gravity Zero (1998 - 2003)
Kitsou Dubois and the Biodynamics Group at Imperial College.
5-year art-science research project investigating control of movement in weightlessness. Events & commissions within this project:
A Dancer in Weightlessness (2002) presenting the film Trajectoire Fluide
ESA Gravity Zero flights (2002-3)
Russian parabolic flight (2000)
Altered States of Gravity - Kitsou Dubois/Imperial College/ArtLab (2000)
Gravity Zero - Kitsou Dubois (1999)
UK Space-Art Forum (1999 - 2001)
The Arts Catalyst organised three UK Space Art Forums between 1999 and 2001.
Arts Catalyst has supported the development by OURS Foundation and Leonardo/OLATS of the Space Arts Database and contributes to the Leonardo/OLATS Space-Art Advisory Committee
