In 1915, Proxima Centauri (the nearest star to Earth—excluding the Sun) was discovered; in 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered everyone’s favorite dwarf planet, Pluto; in 1951 the United States sent four monkeys to space; in 1958 NASA was founded; and in 1969, we landed on the moon. So, how did all of this mind-blowing, world-expanding information affect the Modern Art movement happening at the time?

Phaidon’s just-released book The Universe: Exploring the Astronomical World presents an extensive image-based survey of the cosmos as depicted by artists, astronomers, and visionaries dating as far back as 16,500 B.C., when the earliest representations of constellations appeared in cave paintings in Lascaux, France and Cueva del Castillo, Spain. The book is notable for its use of juxtaposition; rather than being organized chronologically or thematically, The Universe presents disparate works side-by-side, highlighting fluctuations in humanity’s understanding of space across vast lengths of time.

Throughout history, artists have contemplated and reflected on the human condition. And what greater human condition is there than our position on this singular planet amidst an ever-expanding celestial unknown? We’ve highlighted ten modern artists featured in The Universe who’ve grappled with the subject; evaluating humanity’s intimate relationship with the cosmos in thought-provoking visual and sculptural renderings.

Για περισσότερα δες εδώ.