Press release for the ‘VISIONS OF SPACE 2’ WMA/IAAA*/BIS exhibition

Wells & Mendip Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2UE

10th – 24th June 2017. Opening hours 10am – 5pm daily, closed Sundays.

FREE ENTRANCE *International Association of Astronomical Artists ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Wells & Mendip Astronomers, in association with the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) Southwest, present ‘VISIONS OF SPACE 2’ - An Exhibition of Astronomical and Space Art by British IAAA fellows, including David A. Hardy FBIS, Fellow and European Vice-President of the IAAA, former BIS President Bob Parkinson MBE, Jackie Burns, Richard Bizley, Gavin Mundy, Dr. Mark A. Garlick and Nick Stevens, as well as works by many well-known American IAAA artists, including Apollo 12 astronaut and Moonwalker Alan Bean.

During a distinguished career of over 60 years, David A. Hardy’s work has been featured in many astronomy publications, as well as in hundreds of science fiction books and magazines. He has designed for TV (Blake’s 7, Cosmos, Horizon and the Sky at Night) and film (The Never Ending Story), computer games and record/CD sleeves (‘from Hawkwind to Holst!), and is one of only a few artists to have an asteroid named after him!

The exhibition will also feature a history of space exploration illustrated by models by BIS Fellow Mat Irvine, TV and film special affects wizard, designer, producer and director. Like David, Mat worked for many years designing models for Sir Patrick Moore’s ‘Sky at Night’ and other leading scientists, and is also well-known as one of the creators of ‘Robot Wars’, as well as one of the BBC’s top special effects artists over many years (from sci-fi to comedy to BAFTA-winning dramas).

EXHIBITION PREVIEW EVENING/DAVID HARDY TALK: by booking only, from 7:30pm on Friday 9th June 2017, including an illustrated lecture, 'Faces of the Moon' by David A. Hardy, on how the Moon has been seen and portrayed over the years. There will also be a live Skype-up with artists at the IAAA art show at Spacefest 8 in Tucson, Arizona, plus wine and canapés and a chance to talk with the artists. Tickets for the Preview are £7 and available through: www.wellsastronomers.org.uk

MAT IRVINE TALK: Mat will be demonstrating his craft all day on Saturday 10th and Saturday 24th June (FREE ENTRY). He will also give a talk on his work with Sir Patrick Moore for the ‘Sky at Night’ at 14:00 on 10th June. Tickets for the talk are £2 for WMA/BIS members; £3 for non-members; £5 family rate; also available through www.wellsastronomers.org.uk ‘Terraformed Mars’

by David A. Hardy (UK)

A future vision of Mars transformed by technology into a more Earth-like, habitable world.

It is viewed here from the perspective of its tiny moon, Phobos, which is likely to be the destination of a first manned mission in the next 15- 20 years.

Mat Irvine FBIS with Sir Patrick Moore for the 50th anniversary of BBC’s ‘Sky at Night’.

A number of the models, built by Mat for the programme are featured here.

Mat designed models and special effects for many other TV shows and films.