Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

This exhibition looks at the history of Mars through different cultures and explores the different future scenarios for the planet.

Despite their undeniable differences, Mars and the Earth have always been compared because of the similarities they share, to the point where future scenarios are envisaged on Mars should our planet cease to be habitable. During the earliest civilisations, Mars was a mirror, a metaphor and source of inspiration for humans. Now the CCCB speaks to us about it with the exhibition ‘Mars. The Red Mirror’.

Curated by the director of the CCCBLab, Juan Insua, the display explores our ties with the planet from ancient times to the present day, through different perspectives and disciplines such as science, art and literature. The exhibition also reflects on our future as a species and the role the red planet might play.

The display is divided into three main areas and includes over 400 items: incunabula, sculptures, drawings, photos, comics, films, manuscript documents, collector’s items and even a Martian meteorite. It also comes with a parallel programme featuring experts from the spheres of creation, art, science and thinking from around the world, with debates, audio-visuals, educational and family activities.

Mars in the ancient cosmos

The first section of the exhibition travels to the time when the first cosmologies appeared, with mythological representations of Mars such as Mars Balearicus (image) and the Almagest by Claudi Ptolomeu (originating from ancient astrology). The section offers the chance to discover the different names, forms and representations that Mars has received through history, according to the culture which looked at it.

Science and fiction of the red planet

Science-fiction about Mars has grown as science and technology have evolved to give us more and more knowledge about the fourth planet in our solar system. Starting with the creations of H.G.Wells and moving onto the work of Ray Bradbury and Kim Stanley Robinson, this section looks at the links between science, fiction, literature and popular culture by exploring the influence of scientists, engineers, writers and artists obsessed with the red planet. The section features productions such as Trip to Mars (by Thomas Edison) and a collection of the magazine Pulp (Normal Saunders).

Mars in the Anthropocene

Finally, the exhibition opens up the debate on Mars as a B planet, highlighting the climate emergency we currently face, forcing us to consider solutions beyond the Earth. This section looks at the various missions there have been to Mars and those to come, presenting a space where Mars acts a mirror for the Earth and questions to what extent we might prosper on the red planet.

The exhibition is on until 11 July. Admission is free on Sundays, with an appointment. Check opening times and prices here.