Illustrated talk with Teddie Hwang (baroque flute, astral photographer) and Georgia MacMillan (Mayo Dark Sky Park Development Officer/Employment Based PhD scholar, funded by the Irish Research Council)

Astronomy is often referred to as the oldest and most beautiful of sciences. A view of the celestial wonders in a dark sky overhead has invoked curiosity and inspired art and culture since the dawn of civilisation. In this multimedia presentation, flutist and photographer Teddie Hwang partners up with dark sky educator Georgia MacMillan to talk about how music, photography, and our natural night sky heritage are intertwined in a fascinating way.

Using her own photography works ranging from portraiture to landscape astrophotography, Teddie will demonstrate how the principles of fine-art photography give insight into music and its interpretation. She will also share how photographing and experiencing the night sky has greatly influenced and redefined her approach to music.

Her talk will then be followed by Georgia MacMillan, Development Officer for the Mayo Dark Sky Park in Wild Nephin National Park, Co. Mayo. Georgia will introduce the dark sky movement in Ireland, offering solutions to tackle light pollution, whilst exploring cultural connections in art, poetry and music that have been inspired by the night sky.  

The night sky is our natural asset offering a rare connection to the past and the same views our ancestors would have experienced. This presentation will demonstrate the important ecological, social, and cultural connections between science and the arts.

A Q&A discussion with the audience concludes the event.