Republic of the Moon

I’ll be reading from my short story ‘Occupy the Moon’ on Thursday evening, at the private view of The Arts Catalyst’s exhibition Republic of the Moon — London, which has been getting some good press in the run-up to opening. Coverage includes the Space Policy blog, Wall Street Magazine and the Guardian.

‘Occupy the Moon’ was first published online by The Arts Catalyst two years ago, having been commissioned to accompany an earlier version of the exhibition at FACT, Liverpool. The story responds in particular to the work of Agnes Meyer Brandis and — especially — Liliane Lijn’s Moonmeme (left). It was also an attempt to write a science fiction short story in the mould of those great, old, yellow-jacketed Gollancz anthologies that I loved to borrow from my local library when I was a child.

This is the first time that ‘Occupy the Moon’ has been available in print form, where it is among the writings included in A Manifesto for the Republic of the Moon. (Bibliographical info etc. to follow.)

Eagle-eyed readers will know that I have worked with Liliane Lijn and blogged about her work before.

Here’s the exhibition blurb from The Arts Catalyst’s site:

After two decades working with space dreamers from the European Space Agency to anarchist autonomous astronauts, The Arts Catalyst will transform Bargehouse into an Earth-based embassy for a Republic of the Moon, filled with artists’ fantastical imaginings. Presenting international artists including Liliane Lijn, Leonid Tishkov, Katie Paterson, Agnes Meyer Brandis, and WE COLONISED THE MOON, the exhibition combines personal encounters, DIY space plans, imaginary expeditions and new myths for the next space age.

Marking the start of its twentieth anniversary year, The Arts Catalyst will animate the exhibition with performances, workshops, music, talks, a pop-up moon shop by super/collider and playful protests against lunar exploitation.  A manifesto declaring the Moon a temporary autonomous zone, with responses from artists and scientists to novelist Tony White’s call to “occupy the Moon!” will be published in print and e-Book formats to coincide with the exhibition.

Speeches and readings will begin at Bargehouse at 7:30pm, Thursday 9 January.

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Republic of the Moon — London
Bargehouse
Oxo Tower Wharf
South Bank
London SE1 9PH
UK

10/01/2014 – 02/02/2014
11am-6pm daily, late opening 6.30-8.30pm Thursday 9 January and 6.30-10pm Thursday 16 January

There is an extensive events programme to accompany the exhibition. For more information see The Arts Catalyst website.