Touch the Sky: Art and Astronomy

Astronomy can be traced back to antiquity with its origins in religious and mythological beliefs; its study has been closely linked to artistic endeavors since the Renaissance. Since then, artists' enthusiasm for recording and interpreting the grandeur and mystery of the cosmos has not waned. "Touch the Sky" is a multi-media exhibition of images of the moon, sun, planets, and stars made by artists from the nineteenth century through the present, and comprise historical works from the Art Center's collection as well as several more contemporary works on loan. Artists include Vija Celmins, Chris McCaw, Sharon Harper, David Milan, Mungo Thomson, Lisa Oppenheim, and Trevor Paglen.

Organized by Vassar College and the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center. "Touch the Sky" was part of a campus-wide celebration of the sciences. Support for the exhibition was provided by the Evelyn Metzger Exhibition Fund. There are works that appeared in this exhibition that were loans to the Loeb and therefore do not appear on this website.