Experimental instant film photographer, Jade Aster, blends art and astronomy under the moniker, The Moon Talkers. Jade will be using instant film cameras (Polaroid and Instax) and a telescope to capture lunar and solar details on small pieces of instant film. As the moon cycles through its lunar month, they will photograph each phase to show the changes in crater visibility and dark plains of the surface. By the end of the residency, they will piece together the individual photographs side by side to create a larger mosaic of the lunar month.
Throughout their residency, The Moon Talkers will host impromptu telescope pop-ups outside of Lamplight and local spaces around Asheville, sharing views of our sky with curious folks passing by. Come take a look through their telescope and see how the instant film photos are taken!
Due to a dependence on weather, time and locations will be posted on Instagram (@themoontalkers and @Lamplightavl). Potential pop-up locations include Lamplight AVL, Cellarest Beer Project, Garden Party, Grassland Mountain Observatory, Bebop Bottle Shop and more!
Save the date:
Saturday, September 20th, 1-4pm
for an afternoon viewing of the photographs taken throughout the residency.
artist statement:
Curiosity, exploration, and connection are at the center of my work as an instant film photographer whose primary focus is lunar and solar photography. Each time I set my telescope up, I am prompted to think about where I am in relation to the rest of the universe, both literally and existentially. The act of aligning the instant camera to the eyepiece of the telescope is experimental by nature and allows for a cycle of trial, error, and constant discovery. With my work being created outdoors – usually in my front yard, occasionally in public spaces – it is an invitation for curious folks passing by to engage in some way. It is an opportunity to share the views through the telescope and a chance to join in conversation about things like perspective, time, and the cosmos.
