Earth: A cosmic spectacle

Mon 9 March

Jesus College Intellectual Forum

Deep time, dark skies, and cosmic recordings.

Join artist Louise Beer to discuss her work using photography, sound and discussion to connect audiences to Earth's history and the climate crisis.

Living under two types of night sky – the first in low-level light polluted areas in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and the second in higher level light polluted cities and towns across England – has deeply informed Louise's artistic practice. Her work explores how living under dark skies, or light polluted skies, can change our perception of grief, the climate crisis and Earth’s deep time history and future.

Through photography, sound, and writings from astronomers, geologists, biologists and community groups, she considers how light pollution may erode our awareness of deep time, and how it might reshape our understanding of the fragility and the wonder of all life on Earth. Louise’s curatorial and artistic practices are concerned with our relationship to both Earth and the cosmos.

Louise will discuss several artworks, including her ongoing project exploring the cosmic significance of life on Earth, and the climate crisis.

After the talk, Louise will be joined by Dr Anik Halder, who will provide an overview of the history of the universe and the events that led to life on Earth.

Cost: Free of charge