The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward

The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward examines humanity’s long relationship with the cosmos through the tools built to study it and the layers of cultural heritage beneath it.

The exhibition traces the development of astronomical instruments, from ancient stone observatories used to track lunar and solar pathways to the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. It considers how each technological shift opens new ways of looking skyward, expanding our perception into deeper realms. The Infinite Look also includes many cultural traditions across time and place that interpret celestial bodies and constellations, revealing how people find orientation, knowledge, and meaning in the sky. Together, these scientific and cultural perspectives remind us that the night sky holds a living history of human observation and imagination.

Curated by UNSW Library and developed in collaboration with the School of Physics and School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES), The Infinite Look draws on UNSW research and materials from the University’s cultural collections, including UNSW Archives, UNSW Art Collection, the Library’s Special Collections, Faculty of Engineering’s Surveying Instrument Museum, and mineral and rock samples from BEES. The contemporary art and immersive landscapes featured in the show invite reflection on the scientific advancements and rich traditions of cultural storytelling mapped onto the stars.

Image: Charles Le Morvan, Carte photographique de la lune (1904).

Accessibility: UNSW Main Library is wheelchair accessible. A braille exhibition guide, an audio-described guide, and large-text booklets will be available. Displays and explanatory texts are able to be seen and read from a seated position. Videos are captioned.