Shared Sky is an exhibition that explores the cultural experience of the night sky over our Southern continent. This exhibition of prints and drawings by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, also includes a diverse selection of works across media. From Warmun in North Western Australia to Melbourne in Victoria artists of different cultural backgrounds and locales explore humanity’s enduring psychological engagement with the Southern stars.
Over the centuries humankind’s perception of the Universe has shifted dramatically, from the belief in the centrality of the Earth to the comprehension of the infinite number of galaxies beyond the Milky Way. Coinciding with the International Year of Astronomy, Shared Sky traces the visual evolution of scientific observation and ancient narratives that underlie the complexity of Australia’s cultural histories. The exhibition will be accompanied by a room brochure with essays by Allison Holland Curator, Prints and Drawings and Stephen Gilchrist Curator, Indigenous Art dealing with the differing and shared perspectives of humankinds relationship with our earthly locale within the universe.
Online bookings Student Programs and Professional Learning
Phone 03 8620 2340 weekdays 12–5pm
Fax 03 8620 2550
Email edu.bookings@ngv.vic.gov.au
NGV Schools Access Support is available for programs. Conditions apply.
Introductory Tour
Recommended for P– Yr 12
Come and explore the Southern sky and its intriguing and captivating celestial bodies. Examine how artists from different cultural backgrounds explore and represent different and shared perspectives of the Southern sky using prints, photographs, drawings and a wide variety of Indigenous works.
Cost $6
Infinity and Beyond
Recommended for Yr 4–9
15–26 Jun, 10am–12.30pm & 1–3.30pm
After an introductory tour of the Shared Sky exhibition, students participate in a practical workshop that explores space. This mural style activity will encourage students to look up into the zenith of the night sky and to create their own shared viewed.
Cost $12 (2.5 hours)
New Frontiers in Space and the Curriculum
Fri 20 Mar, 9.30am–4pm
A professional learning program linking Art, Science and English through a focus on works of art representing diverse cultural, historical, scientific, social and personal perspectives on the southern sky and space exploration. Program includes an exhibition viewing and introduction to Shared Sky, and an overview of the forthcoming exhibition Light Years. Workshop sessions will provide the opportunity for teachers to work with colleagues on curriculum based program development for specific year levels.
Cost $99 includes lunch and morning tea.
International Year of Astronomy
In 2009 the world will celebrate the International Year of Astronomy. This year marks the 400 year anniversary of Galileo’s first observations of the universe through a telescope, as well as the 40 year anniversary of man taking first steps on the moon. Both Shared Sky and Light Years: Photography and space exhibitions provide many curriculum opportunities to mark these astronomical events.
Please visit ngv.vic.gov.au and astronomy2009.org.au for further information, program links, events and resources.
