Space – A Visual Journey at Fotografiska Stockholm

One universe. Thirteen artists. A grandiose art journey through space with themes ranging from science and technology to astrology and philosophy.

Overview

Throughout history, humans have looked up to the stars and tried to understand what is out there. Space represents how we can expand the outer limits for what is possible, our drive to discover something new, and stepping into the unknown. All the while raising the eternal questions of who we are and where in this vastness we belong.

In this winter’s major exhibition at Fotografiska, Space – A Visual Journey, artistic expression meets scientific discoveries with 13 internationally renown photographers who all explore space from their own perspectives.

“Space is an experience where we delve into the immensity of space and are able to expand our senses and our universe through art. It is an exhibition to experience together across generations, and it hopefully inspires many interesting discussions,” says Johan Vikner, Global Director of Exhibitions at Fotografiska.

Artists in the exhibition include multiartist and engineer Mikael Owunna, who explores the intersections of science, art, and African cosmologies. Irish artist Rhiannon Adam shares how she was chosen among millions of applicants and as the only woman to take part in Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa’s SpaceX trip to the moon. She describes how space has long been accessible to the extreme rich and the superhuman, while here a group of civilians were for the first time going to travel to the moon and back to observe, create, and gain new perspectives and insights. The project was unexpectedly cancelled in June 2024, and the participants who had invested several years in preparing themselves were forced to pick up the pieces of their lives that had been on hold.

Matjaž Tančič from Slovenia has documented people who live in a simulated Mars desert landscape to prepare for the real journey, and one of Sweden’s artistic stars, Cecilia Ömalm, together with the astronomer Göran Östlin, is contributing her artistic and scientific project Ad Lucem/Towards the Light. A German future space traveler is also among the artists: the internationally renown explorer Michael Najjar, who works close to the intersections of art, science, and technology. With his visually striking and thought-provoking works, he challenges our understanding of space and our place in it.

“I grew up particularly fascinated by space exploration, inspired by the moon landing, Star Trek, and the Shuttle missions. Today, I work closely with space engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to translate their visions of space exploration into artistic expression. As one of Virgin Galactic's Future Astronauts, I will soon venture into space myself. The physical involvement and hands-on experience are fundamental elements of my artistic process,” says Michael Najjar.

Participating photographers are Rhiannon Adam, Mackenzie Calle, Mónica Alcázar-Duarte, Vincent Fournier, Brooke Holm, Darya Kawa, Michael Najjar, Mikael Owunna, Matjaž Tančič, Gilleam Trapenberg, Thomas Vanz, Ming Wong, Cecilia Ömalm and Göran Östlin.