Lumen invite exhibitor proposals for a group show “The Cosmic Sublime” at the Pie Factory Margate, 26 April - 01 May 2019.

Lumen: Cosmic Sublime

The concept of the sublime has long been associated to both fields of astronomy. Derived from the Latin “sublimis”, the sublime is translated as “set or raised aloft, high up”- etymologically the word “sublime” is very much linked to the space above our planet and to what may inhabit it.

Within this exhibition, Lumen invite contributions from artists whose work relates to; astronomy, light, the sublime, divinity, infinity, incomprehension.

“The greatest Objects of Nature, are methinks, the most pleasing to behold; and next to the Great Concave of the Heavens, and those boundless regions where the stars inhabit, there is nothing that I look upon with more than the wide Sea and the Mountains of the Earth... Think of God and his Greatness; and whatsoever hath but the shadow and appearance of the INFINITE, as all things that are too big for our Comprehension. They fill and overbear the Mind with their Excess, and cast it into a pleasing kind of Stupor and Admiration”

Burnett’s “Sacred Theory” , 1776

In Elizabeth Kessler’s “Picturing the Cosmos: Hubble Space Telescope Images and the Astronomical Sublime”, Kessler looks at how Hubble images can be compared to sublime paintings of the American West.

“As defined by Edmund Burke and Immanuel Kant, the sublime describes an extreme aesthetic experience, one that threatens to overwhelm even as it affirms humanities potential. For Kant, the sublime arises out of a tension between the senses and reason, and each faculty must be engaged to experience such an intense response”

Kessler then compares Immanuel Kant’s description of the sublime to Hubble images. She says “Through a reprisal of romantic tropes, the Hubble images once again invoke the  sublime, and they encourage the viewer to experience the cosmos visually and rationally, to see the universe as simultaneously beyond humanity’s grasp and within reach of our systems of knowledge.”

About the Venue

“Over a hundred years ago you would have found a pork butchers in Broad Street. Originally known as Knightons it became Scotts and there were shops throughout Thanet.  The firm was particularly known for their pork pies, smoked sausages and flead cake.  The business closed in 1974 and the building became a book warehouse.  This lasted until 1998 and since then the site has been waiting to come alive.” - Pie Factory.

The Pie Factory is based in the popular area of Old Town Margate, and is a stones throw away from the beach. The Pie Factory is also in close proximity to the Turner Contemporary, which is currently showing the cosmically sublime “A Place That Only Exists In Moonlight” by Katie Paterson, and curated works by JMW Turner.

Exhibition Fee

£30.00 (on the basis that your proposal is accepted). We do not ask for a submission fee.

Exhibition Timings

Install: Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April 2019, 11-5pm.

Private View: Friday 26th April 2019, 6-9pm.

Exhibition continues: 12-5pm, 27th April 2019 - 01 May 2019.

Deinstall: 01 May 2019, 5pm. 

Invigilation

We will need each artist who is in Margate at the time of the show to do at least one invigilation slot of a few hours. 

Installation of Works

There is a hanging rail. There are also dark spaces for video projections and installations. 

If you have any questions, please do get in touch: hello@lumenstudios.co.uk