golden eye I
2012
Format 1: 132 x 202 cm / 52 x 79.5 in, edition of 6 + 2 AP
Format 2: 67 x 102 cm / 26.3 x 40.2 in, edition of 6 + 2 AP
Hybrid photography, archival pigment print, aludibond, diasec, custom-made aluminium frame
“golden eye I” shows various aluminum containers carrying segments of the largest space-based telescope humankind has ever built. Now under construction, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is intended to replace the famous Hubble Space Telescope in 2018. The eighteen hexagonal mirrors of the telescope each have a diameter of 6.5 m and are gold coated beryllium reflectors. The JWST’s primary scientific mission has four main components: to search for light from the first stars and galaxies formed in the universe after the Big Bang; to study the formation and evolution of galaxies; to understand the formation of stars and planetary systems; and to study planetary systems and the origins of life.
The containers were photographed at Ball Aerospace factory in Bolder, USA. Each container stores one of the precious mirrors. The text elements on the containers have been digitally added to indicate the scientific purposes of the cutting-edge telescope. Once assembled, it will be launched into space from Guiana Space Center on board an Ariane 5 rocket.
