ENGAGING THE HEAVENS: INSPIRATION OF ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA V

Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois, USA
26 June – 1 July 2005

Inaugurated in 1994, the INSAP conference series explores and celebrates the inspiration of astronomy on culture throughout human history. The papers in this volume arise from presentations given at INSAP V, hosted in 2005 by the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, bringing together over fifty artists, writers, astronomers, planetarium operators, and historians from
around the world.

These papers cluster around two themes: astronomical inspiration in the visual arts (including sculpture, digital media, and dance) and in the storytelling arts (including literature, poetry, and planetarium production). Topics include astronomical symbolism in the works of Carl Sandburg, Albert Camus, and British travel writers; changing depictions of Saturn from Augustus to Galileo; and astronomically-inspired contemporary art and sculpture.

These studies provide compelling insights into the diverse intersections of science and art through our historical and continued engagements with the heavens.