supermoon, 2024
Floor based, ceramic installation, dimensions variable.

“The ceramic installation Supermoon (2024) by Lea Petrou draws inspiration from the lunar cartography of Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt, a prominent 19th-century astronomer, devoted much of his career to the detailed mapping of the Moon, culminating in his seminal work Charte der Gebirge des Mondes (1874) (Chart of the Mountains of the Moon), a comprehensive lunar map, which after further analysis was divided into 25 sections. The installation brings to life these sections as ceramic pieces, mounted on a wooden base, offering a fragmented view from the side and a cohesive perspective from the front. Schmidt’s lunar mapping began in the 1840s when he embarked on his astronomical journey at the Altona Observatory in Hamburg, Germany, and later appointed as the director of the Athens Observatory (1858- 84) and soon became Schliemann’s friend as repeatedly mentioned in his diary. His work revitalised selenography previously deemed stagnant after the maps by Beer and Mädler. This renewed focus on lunar exploration paralleled the burgeoning interest in space travel, exemplified by Jules Verne’s 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon. The term “Supermoon”, coined by American astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, describes the new or full moon occurring at the closest point in its orbit to Earth, appearing exceptionally bright. In 2024, four supermoons will occur, with one coinciding with the Wanderlust exhibition’s opening on the 17th of October, providing a fitting astronomical backdrop for this exploration into our desire to the unknown. Supermoon advocates a confluence of futuristic conceptualisation and magical realism, where through the lens of history telling, the installation celebrates renewed interest in a celestial body that has captivated human fantasy for centuries. As viewers engage with the fragmented yet cohesive portrayal of the lunar landscape, they embark on their own journey, echoing the spirit of the enduring power of human curiosity. In the presence of a supermoon, Petrou’s work stands as a testament to our endless quest to understand and explore, reminding us that the boundary between reality and fantasy is as fluid as the shadows on the lunar surface. Through Supermoon, Earth’s only natural satellite becomes an eternal symbol of inspiration igniting new dreams and discoveries.”Catalogue text by dr. Kostas Prapoglou.

Made specifically for participating in «wanderlust / all passports», a contemporary art group exhibition curated by dr. Kostas Prapoglou organised by Artefact Athens, at Schliemann – Melas mansion, 46 Panepistimiou st.