Madrid
Completed

Experience "Mars. The Conquest of a Dream": An Exhibition on Space Exploration & Human Fascination

Discover the Red Planet's profound cultural impact, astronomical journey, and the dream of interplanetary colonization.

This immersive exhibition invites visitors to journey through humanity's enduring connection with Mars. Explore its scientific discoveries, cultural depictions in art and literature, and the ambitious quest to reach the Red Planet. See historical documents, meteorite fragments, and models of future Martian colonies, along with interactive experiences.

About Mars. The conquest of a dream at Espacio Fundación Telefónica in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Mars. The conquest of a dream at Espacio Fundación Telefónica in Madrid

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores humanity's enduring fascination with Mars, tracing its cultural and scientific impact throughout history. It delves into the challenges and aspirations surrounding the potential arrival of humans on the red planet, examining historical perspectives, scientific milestones, and artistic interpretations.

Curatorial context

The exhibition 'Mars. The conquest of a dream' delves into the profound curiosity and veneration Mars has inspired across cultures and time. It examines the planet's role as a source of both fear and aspiration, and how it has been projected as a destination for future generations. The exhibition is structured into five sections: an introduction to the fascination with the red planet, the historical astronomical challenges and discoveries of its movement, its impact on culture (cinema, music, literature) and the evolution of the concept of Martians, the milestones in the race to reach Mars, and the future prospect of humanity becoming an interplanetary species. Key pieces include valuable historical and documentary items such as books and original prints from the Copernican Museum in Rome, a fragment of the Mars meteorite ZAGAMI, original illustrations for 'The War of the Worlds' by Henrique Alvim Corrêa, a replica of Galileo Galilei's first telescope, 3D-printed models of potential Martian colonies, and an immersive audiovisual piece using NASA images. The exhibition also highlights participatory elements, encouraging visitor engagement through quizzes, 'Martian selfies', and contributions to a code of best practices for future space exploration.

Admission and ticket notes

The exhibition is located on the fourth floor of the Espacio Fundación Telefónica. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday to Sunday and holidays, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Specific ticketing information is not provided on the page, implying it may be included with general admission or is freely accessible.

Mars. The conquest of a dream key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Mars. The conquest of a dream at Espacio Fundación Telefónica in Madrid

Venue
Espacio Fundación Telefónica
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Nov 8, 2017 – Mar 4, 2018
Artist line / attribution
Works by Henrique Alvim Corrêa are featured, and the exhibition is co-produced by the City of Arts and Sciences and Valencia Government, with collaboration from ESA, INTA, INAF, and LG. Participatory pieces were developed by the experimental and interactive editing Unit of the Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV).
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