Photography by Márcio Vilela

Márcio Vilela’s practice lies at the intersection of art and science, grounded in research and process-based inquiry. Performance, experimentation, critical engagement and collaboration with scientists shape both the conceptual and material dimensions of his work. This photograph captures “Earthshine”, a fleeting glow caused by sunlight reflecting Earth onto the Moon. Visible during twilight, when the sky glows with vibrant shades of orange, pink, and blue, it marks the moment when the first celestial bodies appear. The New Moon, nearly invisible due to its alignment with the Sun, reveals a faint outline. Inviting contemplation of transience and our place within the vastness, Vilela’s image captures this delicate interplay between light, atmosphere, and cosmic rhythm, where the intensity of the sky contrasts with the quiet emergence of astronomical objects. Recent exhibitions include BIENALSUR, Mar del Plata, (2025); Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins (MACAM), Lisbon, (2025); ARCOlisboa Art Fair, Lisbon, (2024); Sète Lisboa - Festival Internacional de Arte Contemporânea, Almada, (2024) and Previsão de Deriva, Galeria Foco, Lisbon, (2023).