Instead of stars and science at Morehead Planetarium on Feb. 28, patrons will have the opportunity to see two films that question images and our ability to comprehend them.
This event is the result of a joint project between the Hanes Visiting Artist Lecture Series, which brings both established and emerging artists to campus to discuss their work, and Cosmic Rays, an experimental film festival. The lectures are free and open to the public.
The films were curated by Aily Nash, whose work includes selecting filmmakers for the New York Film Festival and being a program adviser to the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
“I was interested in artists who would open up questions around, ‘What does it mean to look into space?’” Nash said. “What even are the mechanisms that help us look into space?”
The 2018-2019 Hanes Lecture Series focuses on political geographies, with an emphasis on examining the spatial distribution and control of political processes and how geographic location and identity impact these processes and spaces.
The films will be shown on the ceiling of the Morehead Planetarium, giving the attendees the experience of looking up to watch the art.
“This is a great opportunity for students that are interested in filmmaking since Aily is a very important figure in the world of independent filmmaking,” said Bill Brown, co-director of Cosmic Rays.
After the two films, there will be an opportunity for viewers to ask Nash any questions about her work.
“You see artists and curators, you see their work out in the world, but you never know what they’re really thinking,” said Sabine Gruffat, chairperson of the Hanes Visiting Artist Lecture Committee and co-director of Cosmic Rays. “It’s always different to hear someone in person talking about their work ... I guess I find it interesting, because it gives you a sense of what these people are like inside.”
