Every day we are guided by signals, routes and recommendations, pinging between devices on earth and outer space. As billionaires race to commercialise space-travel and nations establish powerful defence “space forces”, our spatial imaginaries are expanded through explorations into life beyond earth, as it may exist in benevolent and malevolent forms across our galaxy. In turn, these transformations impact the way we value life on earth.

Celestial Bodies/Terrestrial Beings: Past, Present, Futureis a symposium co-presented by UC Centre for Creative and Cultural Research, University Paris 8 – Vincennes - Saint-Denis, ANU School of Cybernetics and the Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation with the French Embassy in Australia. It builds on collaborations instigated by Denise Thwaites (UC), Manuela de Barros (University Paris 8) and Baden Pailthorpe (ANU) through the first iteration of ‘Celestial Bodies/Terrestrial Beings’ in Paris 2024 as part of the NOVA_XX Biennale, this time integrating diverse multidisciplinary perspectives from the Canberra region. As a region, we are in a unique position to contribute to these critical research conversations about the spatial imaginary, drawing together deep histories of Indigenous astronomy, modern histories of facilitating Apollo 11 broadcast at honeysuckle creek, and cutting-edge research into emerging technologies that could cement Canberra’s reputation as a national ‘Space Hub’.

This project aims to build international and cross-disciplinary research network between artists, technologists, philosophers, engineers, and other experts, who are exploring contemporary spatial imaginaries. It considers questions such as: What are the human and ecological costs of growing space economies? And, does space expansion demand a renewed sense of responsibility to alien ecologies?

Participants include:

Manuela de Barros (University Paris 8 – Vincennes - Saint-Denis)

Denise Thwaites (University of Canberra, Faculty of Arts and Design)

Jessica Herrington (ANU Cybernetics)

Baden Pailthorpe (ANU School of Art and Design)

Justine Durand (University Paris 8 – Vincennes - Saint-Denis)

Ezequiel González Camaño (University Paris 8 – Vincennes - Saint-Denis)

Ursula Frederick (Centre for Creative and Cultural Research, University of Canberra)

Oscar Capezio (Drill Hall Gallery, ANU)

Chris Danta (ANU Cybernetics)

Doris Grosse (Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, ANU)

Peter Swanton (Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, ANU)

Delephene Fraser (Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra)

Tatiana Bur (ANU Centre for Classical Studies)

Glen Fuller (Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra)

Julian Knowles (Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra)

Alison Wain (Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra)

The event will coincide with the official launch of the edited collection, Alternative Economies of Heritage (Routledge, 2025) co-edited by Denise Thwaites, Bethaney Turner and Tracy Ireland.

Please register your attendance for catering purposes. A link to view the full program can be found here.