The DLR, or Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center), and Gasometer Oberhausen GmbH presented these unique images until December 2, 2007, at the equally spectacular Gasometer, a former gas tower that is now Europe’s tallest and perhaps most unusual exhibition hall. The photos are being shown in this combination for the first time following a selection process based on aesthetic criteria. Although originally taken for scientific purposes, the images are not technical or scientific in nature – instead, they inspire audiences through a beauty usually attributed to works of art.
On the other hand, the photos do indeed owe a major aspect of their effect to technology, as satellites acquire data on the earth’s surface that lie outside of the range of visible light. Radar satellites make it possible to take photos during the night and through clouds, thus providing uninterrupted views of massive deserts, oceans, metropolitan areas and pristine landscapes. Thanks to false-color imaging and computer technology, Hawaii appears as a mountain chain, red-hued desert oceans appear in no-man’s land, and organic surfaces come to the foreground as day-to-day chaos slips into the background. Those who look at these photos will gain an entirely new perspective on the beauties of the earth: viewed from above, our planet looks like a singular work of graceful art – a feast for the senses.
These images, however, are indeed of inestimable scientific value. Satellites generate vast amounts of remote sensing data from around the world, and these data can be analyzed, for instance, to provide insight into atmospheric conditions and on the surface conditions of the oceans and landmasses. Practical applications of remote sensing include environmental monitoring and disaster relief.
The Gasometer – the tallest exhibition hall in Europe
The 117.5 meter “steel trash bin” was originally built as a gas tower in 1929. After it was renovated in the early 1990s, the Gasometer has attracted nearly three million visitors to its rotating exhibits. Besides documenting an era in engineering and technology and serving as a spectacular venue, the Oberhausen landmark has even been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records – as the tallest exhibition center in Europe.
Last year, artist Christina Kubisch took her LichtHimmel light and sound exhibit to the Gasometer, transforming the visual and acoustic space of its interior into a melodious starry sky. Her work will remain on display throughout the duration of the “Eye of the Sky” exhibit, creating a truly unique atmosphere for viewing the satellite photos of the earth.