The Heavens

Blue space background with a line art illustration of the sun and moon

Across the Cary Collection

Date and Time
Location
Cary Graphic Arts Collection, Wallace Library, 2nd floor

As Rochester gazed skyward for the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, we surveyed the Cary for evidence of celestial-themed publications in our collections. This exhibition shows that the “heavens” have been universally inspirational for humankind. Here, we trace back to ancient times with mythological explanations for the constellations that culminate in contemporary astronomical facts made possible by modern science. Our solar system and the stars beyond are also the muses of poetry and artwork in myriad creative forms, including posters, photography, comic books, and artists’ books. May the vastness of the firmament expand into new realms in the 21st century, and may the Cary be here to preserve human interpretations of it!
—Steven Galbraith & Amelia Fontanel, curators

Image Gallery

The Heavens poster; blue space background with a line illustration of the sun and moon
Poster with black background and image of the moon.
Poster with brown background and white type; black portrait of Copernicus.
cut paper of a golden sun and rays with an orange field of color
illustration of a yellow car moving through space on a starry road
illustration of a man and woman looking out the window of a spaceship
illustration of an ancient Egyptian holding a golden rectangle with stars and zodiac symbols in the background