MARS: THE RED MIRROR

Embark on a Celestial Journey: Mars in ‘The Red Mirror'”

“The first footfalls on Mars will mark a historic milestone, an enterprise that requires human tenacity matched with technology to anchor ourselves on another world. “-Buzz Aldrin

Only some people possess the physical capability to journey to Mars and witness its wonders firsthand through their own eyes. However, the boundless nature of human imagination allows us to craft an extraordinary mirror—a vivid reflection that captures the beauty of Mars. This mirror brings the red planet to life for those who gaze upon it, offering a glimpse into the wonders of a world that may be physically distant but becomes intimately accessible through the limitless creativity of human minds. 

The ArtScience Museum in Singapore presents a captivating journey through time and space with its latest exhibition, “Mars: The Red Mirror,” from November 25, 2023, to April 7, 2024. The exhibition examines more than 12,000 years of human stories and interpretations of the Red Planet, which draws inspiration from Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars science fiction trilogy. From ancient mythologies to modern aspirations of interplanetary colonization, the show takes visitors on a thought-provoking exploration of Mars.

Mars Trilogy

The exhibition “Mars: The Red Mirror” is organized into three distinct colour-themed sections, drawing inspiration from Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy. This acclaimed series, comprising “Red Mars,” “Green Mars,” and “Blue Mars,” serves as a thematic guide for the exhibition. The display mirrors the novels’ narrative, which explores Mars’s colonizations and transformation, showcasing science fiction’s profound influence on humanity’s fascination with and aspirations for Martian exploration.

Mars in Art and Science

Judit Carrera, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB), expresses immense pride in collaborating with the ArtScience Museum for the exhibition “Mars: The Red Mirror.” Described as an immersive journey into the captivating imagery of Mars, the exhibition unfolds as a cultural exploration of the Red Planet. Commencing with the ancient myth of the god of war, the showcase traces Mars’s evolution into a focal point for scientific observation, geopolitical struggles, and science fiction since the 19th century. Carrera emphasizes that Mars is a reflective mirror for our beleaguered planet today. The exhibition is hailed as an imaginative adventure and a compelling exploration at the intersection of the sciences and humanities. The Red Mirror adopts an interdisciplinary approach, seamlessly integrating art, science, and history to present a comprehensive investigation of Mars. As an educational platform, the exhibition aims to ignite curiosity and passion for space science and astronomy among children and those young at heart.

The exhibit commences with two items: a portion of a Martian meteorite discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2010 and an artwork titled “The Moment” created by the acclaimed artist Katie Paterson. This handcrafted hourglass gauges 15 minutes by utilizing dust containing Martian dust, asteroids, meteorite fragments, and substances from celestial explosions. The exploration unfolds with a chronological account of Mars’ history, from the Big Bang approximately 13.78 billion years ago to the initial photograph of Earth captured from Mars in 2004.

Section 1: Exploring Ancient Perspectives 

The exhibition’s first section immerses visitors in the historical perceptions of Mars held by ancient cultures. Drawing on Greek and Roman mythology, Mars is presented as the god of war, while parallels are drawn with India, where Mars is revered as Mangala, a warrior deity. Artefacts on display include a fragment of a Martian meteorite and an hourglass filled with Martian dust, prompting contemplation on humanity’s historical ties to Mars. Initially showcased in Barcelona in 2021, the updated version, “Mars: The Red Mirror,” shifts its focus to the dynamic Asian region.

In this new iteration, the exhibition explores Mars’ ancient connections with China, India, and Japan, paying homage to the contributions of pioneering Asian astronomers. Investigating the representation of Mars in Southeast Asian pop culture provides a unique viewpoint. The involvement of prominent Asian space agencies, including Japan’s JAXA and India’s ISRO, is highlighted. The exhibit further extends its scope to include Singapore’s Space Faculty, emphasizing its role in championing the transformative potential of space technology in Asia. Through this collaborative exploration of the Red Planet, the exhibition offers a diverse and global audience insight into the rich legacy and future aspirations of Asian contributions to the exploration of Mars.

A section on Copernicus’ Universe

In the 2nd century, Ptolemy proposed a geocentric model of the universe, suggesting that celestial bodies orbited the Earth. This model prevailed for 1,300 years until Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model, revealing Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Starting in the 16th century, the Copernican Revolution reshaped humanity’s cosmic understanding. Visitors can witness Copernicus’ revolutionary heliocentric model, which places the Sun in the solar system, challenging the long-standing geocentric perspective.

Section II: Mars: Science and Fiction

The second section delves into the influence of compelling narratives on Mars, shaping our perceptions and connection to the planet. As the 19th century concluded, the traditional portrayal of Mars as a god gave way to a more scientific comprehension of the Earth. This transition marked the onset of a dynamic interplay between scientific reality and imaginative fiction, generating fresh narratives that extended well into the 20th century.

Visitors can explore the contributions of astronomers, engineers, and inventors who laid the groundwork for modern astronautics. Early mapping of Mars by Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli is highlighted, with two maps from his 1877 observations featuring linear structures termed ‘canali,’ mistranslated as ‘canals’ and sparking speculation about Martian life.

The exhibition includes a section on the renowned Martian invasion literature, “The War of the Worlds,” by H. G. Wells. Displays feature early editions, vivid drawings by artist Henrique Alvim-Correa, and Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast that caused panic. The invention of the radio brought new methods for searching for life on Mars.

Martian imagery in 20th-century pulp magazines and comics, particularly from Asia, is showcased. Asian adaptations of Western characters like Flash Gordon and original narratives, such as Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon, are explored. 

The exhibition presents a collection of over 60 rare Indonesian science fiction comics, blending Mars imagery with local traditions. A dedicated cinema screens Mars-themed films, documentaries, and an episode from Carl Sagan’s Cosmos series, reflecting Mars’ enduring impact on science fiction in Asia and the West by the end of the 20th century.

Section III: Beyond Borders: Mars in the Anthropocene

In the final section of “Mars: The Red Mirror,” the focus shifts to the urgent climate crisis on Earth and the dilemma humanity faces: whether to safeguard our only home or seek refuge on another planet, a potential ‘Planet B.’ The exhibition showcases works by prominent contemporary artists like Luke Jerram and Michael Najjar, who provide a visual narrative of Mars and the burgeoning space exploration efforts. Jerram’s four-meter inflatable sculpture intricately captures NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At the same time, Najjar’s triptych, “Starbase,” envisions SpaceX’s futuristic spaceport in South Texas, likely the launch site for the first human-crewed mission to Mars. 

The exhibition delves into the ethical considerations of human migration to other worlds, exemplified by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg’s video installation, “The Wilding of Mars,” which envisions a flourishing Martian garden shaped by Earth’s life forms. 

Additionally, the display focuses on international scientific missions to Mars and highlights Singapore’s contribution to space exploration through the work of the Space Faculty under Lynette Tan’s direction. The exhibition concludes with Nero Cosmos’ “Marsonauts,” using AI algorithms to generate unique images of astronauts, fostering a culturally inclusive vision of space exploration that transcends boundaries of race, gender, and nationality. Cosmos creates a daily “marsonaut” image until the historic first human step on Mars, exemplifying the intersection of art, science, and the collective dreams of a multi-planetary future.

Mars: The Red Mirror” is not just an exhibition; it’s an invitation to traverse the cosmos through the lens of culture and imagination. With its spellbinding artefacts and a focus on Asia’s cosmic contributions, the red planet beckons us to unravel its secrets. 

Join the celestial journey and discover how Mars continues to captivate hearts, inspire minds, and forge a timeless connection with humanity.