Liquid Space: An illustrated paper that investigates
the linking of imagination, wine, art and space
Marea Atkinson
University of South Australia
As a visual artist the observation of the illuminated
manuscripts of Les Tres Riches Heures de Jean de France, Duc de Berry,
dating from ca.1416, revealed the importance of the constellations to signal
agrarian time. It was the sight of the star, Vindemiatrix that began the
grape harvest for the Northern Hemisphere viticulturists and winemakers.
This paper aims to investigate and trace other wine related stars and constellations,
in order to reconnect and contemplate the signage used by the ancients
as
a symbol of the interdependence of land and sky.
Also the findings may give some consolation to a Russian astronaut (in
a recent radio interview) who lamented the taboo of wine on space voyages.
This poster paper will be accompanied by 3 art
projects-
1) La Dolce Vita - a suite of prints, executed
by students at the South Australian School of Art depicting wine and the
influences between Italy and Australia.
2) A suite of prints entitled 2001- a reading
of Arthur C Clarke, by SA School of Art.
3) Digital prints, by Marea Atkinson inspired
by the recent lunar eclipse and the names of the oceans on the moon.