50th Anniversary Moon Landing

Rebecca Varidel
30th Jun 2019

On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed the first humans on the Moon. During that time the space race grabbed the attention and imagination of people from nations around the world. The first walk on the moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin was televised and the words “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” were seen and heard by millions around the world.

To contextualise the 50 year anniversary of one of the biggest achievements in human history, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) will present GIANT LEAP, a multi-arts program of events and exhibitions, kicking off this July.

The GIANT LEAP program aims to provide multiple access points for the local community to engage with in relation to the anniversary and capture the excitement of that global event. The program also seeks to provide opportunity for cross community, cross cultural, intergenerational and future thinking dialogues.

As well as featuring moon and moon landing themed panel discussions, film screenings, storytelling, and a dinner, a main feature of GIANT LEAP will be a series of visual arts exhibitions.

EXHIBITIONS

Memories of the Moon Landing: This exhibition component considers memories of the 1969 Moon Landing and Australia’s involvement at the time from multiple perspectives. The local community of Liverpool City come from 150 countries around the world (many of who lived elsewhere in the world in 1969) and their memories will capture the global nature of the event. These local memories, captured on video by Curiousworks are interspersed with NASA photographs and footage. Memories of the Moon Landing opens 01 July to 1 September, 2019. Includes memorabilia and local media.

High Loom: History shows that early civilizations showed understanding of astronomy and patterns of movement within the solar system with monuments built that recognise those patterns. Artist Lisa Sammut creates a large scale installation that suggests the size, scale and wonder of space to take over CPAC’s cavernous Turbine Hall. 01 July to 1 September, 2019.

Astronaut: A series of works by artists that consider space exploration from the perspective of the astronaut and represent an aspect of their experience. Featuring artists Adam Norton, David Haines and Joyce Hinterding, Tony Albert and Chris Caines the works explore various subject matters like on the impact of space travel on the body, the sounds of space and the colonisation of new lands. Astronaut opens 20 July to 8 September, 2019.

Future: Featuring works by artists Christelle Hug, Clinton Gorst and David Greenhalgh, Future looks at the artworks of the 1950’s and 60’s and their creative imagining of the future. Drawing on the films and posters of this time, the artists have created their own updated versions of future cities, transport, domestic gadget and AI, providing both utopian and dystopian visions. Future opens 20 July to 8 September, 2019.

Under the Same Moon: This exhibition features works by artists that are members of community or cultural groups that have particular relationships with the moon. From the importance of the moon on Chinese astrology, cultural responses to eclipses of the moon and even UFO’s local artists and groups respond to capture their unique relationships with the moon- featuring Guan Wei and Hedar Abadi and Macarthur Astronomical Society and more. Under the Same Moon opens 20 July to 8 September, 2019.

On the anniversary of those first steps on the moon, Saturday 20 July, 2019, CPAC will host a spectacular FREE launch day for the exhibitions from 3pm – 7pm. As well as the opportunity to experience the exhibitions, attendees will get to view the moon with Macarthur Astronomical Society and be treated to complementary wine and fare from in-house restaurant Bellbird Dining + Bar throughout the day. A seasonal dining destination, Bellbird combines fresh produce harvested on-site with direct relationships with local artisan suppliers to offer a genuine farm-to-table experience at pub prices.

“The moon is an omnipresent piece of all our lives, no matter which culture you come from. It remains a source of wonder for many people around the world,” said CPAC Director Craig Donarski. “The GIANT LEAP program brings together multiple perspectives of the moon landing, exploring how this monumental event was perceived at the time, and continues to inspire people today.”

“We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing through our Giant Leap program. Interact with some exciting exhibitions and engage in a variety of activities linked to the program, including a performance by renowned musician and David Bowie impersonator Jeff Duff, a Panel discussion about the future and many more to be announced soon,” he said.

For tickets and further information visit www.casulapowerhouse.com/booknow

What: GIANT LEAP
When: Launch Day - Saturday 20 July, 3pm-7pm
Where: Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula NSW
(don’t forget, Casula has its own train station!)

Memories of the Moon Landing | 01 July - 1 September, 2019
High Loom| 01 July - 1 September, 2019
Astronaut | 20 July - 8 September, 2019
Future | 20 July - 8 September, 2019
Under the Same Moon | 20 July - 8 September, 2019