Space Race

Outer Spaces implies a journey beyond the known and accepted. Kunsthaus Graz's annual program focus presents artistic positions that venture into the (critical) exploration of scientific, philosophical, and interdisciplinary concepts of (world) space, time, and human perception.

Outer space – as a space that extends beyond our comprehension and knowledge – remains one of the central interests of human research and has always captivated our imagination. There is hardly any culture that has not developed a special relationship with the universe and the stars. Science, mythologies, and religions have been inspired by observing the sky and by ideas about the cosmos. It seems that outer space still serves as a catalyst for fantasy and fiction, but also – more vehemently than ever – for power and dominance.

The group exhibition Space Race explores ideas about the construction, investigation, and perception of the universe. These ideas are often examined through minimalist and conceptual art practices, which provide an important starting point for considering how “spaces” – in general – are always socially, politically, and economically constructed. Another important aspect of the exhibition is the investigation of the social implications of “space”: the idea that any space has always been subject to ownership. Original ideas that outer space is subject to collective ownership and used for non-military purposes are rapidly crumbling. As resources on Earth become scarcer, new space programs are driven not only by human curiosity but also by the desire to gain access to new territories and resources. The ultimate race for power in space is already in full swing.

Kunsthaus Graz developed a program for 2027 that revolves around the concept of space and will trace how our perception and understanding of space have changed – from viewing space as a stage to recognizing space as a process – participative and dynamic. In collaboration with the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Graz, we will take an interdisciplinary approach to investigate how ideas from physics, philosophy, art, and theory can reflect, enrich, and deepen our understanding of space, how they critically reflect current social developments related to the exploration of space, and at the same time enrich our imagination.

Cooperation with

Universität Graz

Institut für Physik und Institut für Philosophie