On July 16, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon. But humans have been fascinated by the moon long before Apollo 11 made its famous journey.
This winter Geelong Gallery is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landings by examining the ways the moon has inspired art over the centuries. The exhibition (prudently called The Moon) features historical artworks created long before anyone even dreamt of flying to the moon, alongside works created during the 1960s space race. Just as the moon has many phases so does this exhibition, with the lunar landscape being examined through five key themes as well examining the moon in literature, pop culture, music, science and film (who could forget Georges Méliès' moon landing in the 1902 film A Trip to the Moon?).
Among some of the earliest pieces are a 16th century woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, prints by acclaimed Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hiroshige and a rare copy of Méliès’ famous film itself, A Trip to the Moon.
The Moon also features contemporary responses to our closest space neighbour with Australian artists Mikala Dwyer, Sidney Nolan, Rosemary Laing represented. Immerse yourself in Katie Paterson's brooding, lightbulb-lit work or take a peek at Claire Humphries delicate, misty hand-burnished moon linocuts. And in light of it being 50 years since Armstrong and Aldrin's famous moonwalk, Geelong Gallery's exhibition even features photographs of the moon from NASA.
The Moon is on at Geelong Gallery until September 1 2019. Entry to the exhibition is free.