ATMOSPHERES

The Austrian Cultural Forum New York is pleased to announce Atmospheres, an exhibition showcasing a Mobile Pavilion with a multimedia installation conceived in collaboration with the Austrian regional government of Styria. Standing as a testament to the power of art, research, and collaboration in addressing the fundamental questions of our time, it invites visitors to embark on an immersive journey through the realms of atmosphere, climate, and space exploration.

…At the Boundaries of Imagination

International artists and researchers with ties to Styria have collaboratively crafted this exhibition. Both art and research are inherently drawn to the enigmatic. This holds especially true for space exploration, where every step takes us to the outermost bounds of the imaginable. In a similar vein, art continually unveils surprising and poetic perspectives on our world.

Atmospheres delves into a subject of profound significance as we find ourselves at a critical juncture in history. The sky has always been intertwined with profound questions about our place in the world, our origins, our identity, and our future. Through the fusion of art, climate science, and space research, this exhibition offers fresh and unexpected perspectives on atmospheres. Overall, it focuses on the protection and preservation of hospitable conditions in the face of climate change.

…Life Under Alien Skies

What would it be like to inhabit radically different atmospheres? Since the discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995, an astounding array of atmospheres has been found on other celestial bodies. Simultaneously, this experience with alien skies is one we may also encounter on Earth as climate change persists.

At the heart of this exhibition lies a pivotal question: “Who are we in relation to nature and the vast diversity of life?” The pursuit of our climate goals is the linchpin to safeguarding hospitable spaces on Earth. As revealed in the 2023 Climate Atlas of Styria, it becomes evident that our landscapes are constantly under threat from overuse, pollution, and destruction.

…A Leap from Styria to the Cosmos and Back At the core of this exhibition lies a bold framework: the leap from Styria into the cosmos and back, coupled with the responsibility for life on Earth. It forges remarkable partnerships to offer new insights into the climate crisis and the urgent areas that demand our attention.

Simultaneously, the notion of saving our planet through technological means and space migration raises moral inquiries. Who should have the privilege to embark on this interstellar journey? The concept of migration takes on entirely new dimensions, replete with questions about responsibility, conquest, colonization, and the conscientious stewardship of new environments in space.