The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward examines humanity’s long relationship with the cosmos through the tools built to study it, and the layers of cultural heritage beneath it. This exhibition traces the development of astronomical instruments, from ancient stone observatories used to track lunar and solar pathways to the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. It considers how each technological shift opens new ways of looking skyward, expanding our perception into deeper realms. The Infinite Look also includes many cultural traditions across time and place that interpret celestial bodies and constellations, revealing how people find orientation, knowledge, and meaning in the sky. Together, these scientific and cultural perspectives remind us that the night sky holds a living history of human observation and imagination.

Curated by UNSW Library and developed in collaboration with the School of Physics and School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES), The Infinite Look draws on UNSW research and materials from the University’s cultural collections, including UNSW Archives, UNSW Art Collection, the Library’s Special Collections, Faculty of Engineering’s Surveying Instrument Museum, and mineral and rock samples from BEES. The contemporary art and immersive landscapes featured in the show invite reflection on the scientific advancements and rich traditions of cultural storytelling mapped onto the stars.

The Infinite Look features artworks by Timothy Cook, Anissa Jones, Sylvia Kanytjupai Ken, Glen Mackie (Kei Kalak), Segar Passi, and Abdullah M.I. Syed.

We acknowledge First Nations Elders past and present, celebrating their enduring connection to the stars. We recognise Sky Country as a vital extension of land and sea, a map of knowledge, spirituality, and science shaping the oldest living culture on Earth. UNSW Library stands on the unceded lands of the Bedegal and Gadigal peoples.

To expand on the themes of The Infinite Look, a series of satellite displays will launch across our library locations in the coming months, featuring Welcome to the Frontier: From Science Fiction to Hyperstition (Law & Justice Library), Collection Encounters: Moonscapes (Main Library, level 3), and The Lunar Gaze (Art & Design Paddington Library).