The Ghosts of Saturn / Los fantasmas de Saturno

About

‘The Ghosts of Saturn’ explores our relationship with Saturn, linking together contemporary scientific vison and traditional interpretations derived from mythology and astrology. The exhibition includes works that combine traditional pictorial expressive media with new digital technology.

Saturn is the sixth planet in the Solar System and the most distant planet that is visible to the naked eye. Nowadays, the image of the calm and absolute planet surrounded by its impressive ring system is so familiar to us it seems nothing but natural. It is easy to forget the confusion experienced by Galilei and his contemporaries in the 17th century as they looked through a telescope for the first time. In the context of our long relationship with Saturn, the spectacular images delivered by astronomy today is a relatively recent phenomenon.

At first glance, Saturn will always be a speck of light without any detail whatsoever. However, the planet has been subject for fascination and speculation since ancient Greece. Saturn’s identity and influence have evolved with a mix of science, speculation and fantasy. The melancholy star; bearer of darknesses; ruler of time; the symbolism associated with Saturn is extensive and diverse.

Fraga bases her show upon the complete collection of images from the spacecraft Cassini, and what was one of the most complex and advances planetary missions in the history of exploration of space. These raw images were transmitted by Cassini and published with all their imperfections, errors and limited resolution. Fraga utilises these images to suggest points of connection and reflection around assumedly opposed visions of Saturn.