The vast expanse of outer space has long been a source of inspiration and fascination to artists  – perhaps the absence of physical material begs to be filled with speculation and imagery. Collected here are a series of titles by artists exploring the space that extends beyond our own earthly atmosphere.

Space Age Posters documents a performance piece by artist Aleksandra Mir in which, with an American flag in hand, she is seen scaling a moonscape of sand dunes and makeshift craters to become the first woman on the moon. The work offers her own take on popular cultural myths and historical events, combining religious iconography with NASA imagery or symbols of space travel.
 
Likewise, in Tom Sachs’ EVA, part of his Space Program zine series, the artist studies a series of actions by actors in an artificial lunar landing, in which the human presence in an infinite foreign space becomes a kind of absurdity. The language of science and mathematical calculation transforms the human being into an automatic and utilitarian tool for exploration.

Andrew Dodds’ Lost in Space studies the context of space travel as historical landmark in human history – the literal footprints left in the lunar surface by the human race express the need for significance in a vast and foreign environment.
 
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the mythical idea of space created by generations of sci-fi film, television programs and literature, full of sensational and sometimes playful imagery. The mystery of what lies beyond human knowledge leaves superstition and imagination a vast space to expand. Matchbox Galaxies and Einstein, No. 1 are two titles that explore the imaginary side of outer space.