The Galileo Project

The human urge to measure, define, and understand the world around us drives creativity. Artists Doug Bosch and Richard Whitten identified six inventions from the collections held at Florence’s Museo Galileo and designed their own imagined, yet plausible, contemporary versions of the originals. Their work, begun during Covid and completed last year, responds to the scientific instruments collected by generations of influential patrons between 1434 and 1859. For example, antique devices that track the stars, measure air pressure, and detect electrical current become a series of manuscript-like paintings by Whitten and patent model-like sculptures by Bosch. Their creations invite us to engage our imagination around the intersection of science and design, and the ambiguous space between technology and artmaking.

Whitten and Bosch both teach on the faculty of Rhode Island College and their project was supported by Golden Apple Artist Residencies in 2021 and 2023. Joining the exhibition is an additional work of art by their RIC colleagues: Nancy Bockbrader created an accordion book illustrating Whitten’s and Bosch’s works while bringing forth two essays about their collaboration authored by Bannister Gallery Director Victoria Gao and RIC Art History Professor Natasha Seaman. The book itself is an elegant livre peintre, a synthesis of art and text and a testament to the spirit of experimentation and collaboration, then and now.

The Galileo Project was exhibited at Rhode Island College’s Bannister Gallery from November 6 through December 5, 2025 under the curatorial direction of Victoria Gao, Ph.D. An illustrated catalogue is available in the Museum Shop.

Funding for the recent renovation of the Morris Museum Guinness Workshop space and this exhibition are provided by Will and Mary Leland.

All works in The Galileo Project are on loan courtesy of the artists.

Hero Artwork Captions: Doug Bosch, Inv. 2495e & 2495f: Edge of Light & Darkness: Tabletop Aligner is Lost, 2025. Wood, brass. Photo courtesy of the artist. Richard Whitten, Johannes Motter Astronomical Ring, inv. 2458, 2025. Oil and gold leaf on wood panel. Photo by David DeMelim is courtesy of the artist.

Image Carousel Captions: Nancy Bockbrader, The Galileo Project: Works by Doug Bosch & Richard Whitten, 2025. Book: Board, bookcloth, gold foil, marbled paper, inkjet printing on cotton paper, linen thread. Photo courtesy of the artist. Nancy Bockbrader, The Galileo Project: Works by Doug Bosch & Richard Whitten, 2025. Case: Board, bookcloth, marbled and metallic paper, glass, metal. Photo courtesy of the artist.