Art from Outer Space

Have I missed something going on in the world? In the past few years I've noticed that in some places in the art world there seems to be a pre-occupation with all things intergalactic. The 2008 Carnegie International, the 55th Carnegie International actually, was the first CI to be organized and presented with a title other than "The Carnegie International." The curators chose "Life on Mars" with the tagline "Are we alone in the universe? Do aliens exist? Or are we, ourselves,the strangers in our own worlds." The theme of the recently closed 798 Biennale held here in Beijing used the title "Constellations" for their inaugural show, with one of the shows within the main show called "The Man Who Fell to Earth." This summer at her new gallery, a very old and dear friend of mine showed one artist's work under the title "Difficulties with Interplanetary Travel." Is this a trend, or have I just been fortunate enough to stumble on the only three?

And then there is Myles, who is also recently obsessed (as only a five-almost-six-year-old can be) with outer space. We are reading several Magic School Bus and Read-and-Find-Out books about the solar system. He is also sketching out his own plans for the US space program for "when he grows up." The Space Shuttle will be resurrected, and it will travel to different planets.