The exhibition An Infinitely Dark Legacy is based on Lewis Bush’s photographic project and book Depravity’s Rainbow (2018-2023), which examines the dark origins of modern rocketry during the Second World War and Holocaust, and charts the ways that this history continued to influence Cold War era space programs in the United States, projects on which much present day space exploration is in turn founded. Through this, it examines the moral vacuum at the heart of contemporary space travel.

Bush’s work critically examines the links between technological power, state interests, and ethical concerns, reflecting his long-term focus on revealing hidden dimensions of institutional and technological influence. The project centres on Wernher von Braun, a German-American rocket scientist involved in Nazi missile development using slave labour, yet later advocating for space exploration and contributing to the Apollo moon landing. Bush questions the moral implications of a scientific field rooted in such dark beginnings, emphasising that space science’s moral direction depends entirely on human choices. The exhibition challenges viewers to consider the ethical consequences of scientific progress built on morally questionable foundations.

Lewis Bush is a photographer and researcher. His long-term projects examine different forms of contemporary power, from opaque technological systems to offshore financial structures. Collectively, these projects constitute a growing archive of power which seeks to address power's invisibility. His books and prints are held widely in public and private collections worldwide, including museums, national libraries, and research institutions.

Since 2010, PhotoIreland has been an arts organisation supporting photography and the visual arts, dedicated to stimulating a critical dialogue around photography in Ireland and to internationally promoting the work of Irish-based artists. PhotoIreland is a key constituent of the arts and culture sector in Ireland, working to ensure local audiences benefit from a healthy arts ecosystem and providing frequent professional development opportunities to artists.

Best known for its annual event in Dublin, the PhotoIreland Festival, the organisation enjoys today a diverse portfolio of projects that range from events such as print and book fairs to running a charismatic art bookshop in buzzing Temple Bar, producing the photography publication OVER Journal, running artists’ residencies, and much more. Beyond Ireland, the organisation has developed constructive channels with a strong network of organisations worldwide, most relevantly through Creative Europe co-funded platforms such as FUTURES.

The International Centre for the Image is a groundbreaking cultural institution in Dublin’s Docklands, launched by PhotoIreland with support from Kennedy Wilson. It redefines the role of image-making in contemporary society—both still and moving—and connects Ireland’s visual arts scene with global artistic discourse. Officially launched in July 2025 at the Coopers Cross campus, the Centre marks a new milestone for cultural partnership in Ireland.

This ecologically mindful, purpose-built venue consolidates over 15 years of PhotoIreland’s initiatives into one dynamic home. It is informed by values of equality, fairness, and representation—avoiding the limitations of traditional museum models.

The centre’s mission is informed by PhotoIreland’s three strategic pillars:
● Artists – nurturing artistic development through studio spaces, production support, and residencies, in addition to public-facing endeavours.
● Artform – embracing the ever-expanding boundaries of photographic and image-based practices, inclusive of video, installation, VR, artists’ books, and more.
● Audiences – engaging local and international visitors through ambitious exhibitions, research, learning, and public programming.