Out There Exhibit Mixes Science, Art to Offer Unique View of Space by Christine Cube Swiss artist Max Gr¸terís interpretation of the final frontier can be seen in Washington, D.C., this month at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). "Max Gr¸ter: My Private Space Program"óa mixed-media exhibit complete with space carpet (a hand-tufted sheep wool rug imprinted with space shoe tracks) and several three-dimensional lambda prints on aluminumóblends science and art to offer a unique look into space, both "domestic" and outer space. Gr¸terís display features a total of 23 pieces, including sculpture, animation, murals and print work. Initially, you may not be sure if itís the sheer wackiness of the presentation that should impress you or its brilliance. After taking it all in, however, it becomes clear that the exhibit truly is a work of art. Upon entering the AAAS gallery, the first thing that hits you is the sound of a heart beating. Thatís not your imaginationóto the right of the exhibit entrance are three televisions shrink-wrapped in a bronze-like foil displaying a heart beating on the center screen. The cartoonish pulsating presentation of the heartóti tled "Liebe Ist eine Pumpe (Love Is a Pump)"ócan be yours for only $500. In fact, all of the pieces in the exhibit have a price tagójust visit the podium at the entrance for a price sheet. Most of the artwork is on what appears to be aluminum paneling, featuring the same astronaut in different situations. For a nine-print spread titled "Experiment" on one wall, the astronaut is looking at a floating penóthe only thing on each print that appears to be "moving." The same astronaut is featured on several other prints, which have him decked out in space gear sitting, or floating, inside a brightly furnished living room. One print, "Fliegender Teppich (Magic Carpet)," shows the astronaut seated with his back to a rug on the floor of what appears to be a space chair. And within the scene, parked nearby is a bucket filled with some sort of liquid cleaning solution and a vacuum. Odd? Somewhat, but itís that kind of thing that will keep you enthralled throughout the exhibit. Gr¸terís sculptures are another story. Made mostly from laminated object manufacturing, the small sculptures are composed of sheets of paper layered on top of one another to form a finished piece. Each sculptureómostly depicting astronautsóis fascinating and detailed. The exhibit is being cosponsored by the Office of Science and Technology at the Embassy of Switzerland, the Swiss Science Agency and Presence Switzerland. Gr¸ter's show is one of three that the AAAS organizes each year. "My Private Space Program" runs through March 1 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Ave., NW. For more information, please call (202) 326-6400 or visit www.aaas.org. Christine Cube is a freelance writer in Alexandria, Va.