Mankind has created the idea of the Universe - and it’s an idea that has shaped the way we think of our place in reality.  But it is only a concept. 

Artist David McConville says it is not even a concept shared by all of humanity.  Many cultures around the world do not even have a term for what we call the Universe. 

While we may never truly understand the nature of our cosmic order, he says, the attempts to map it do reveal the incredible capacity of our imagination; and trying to unravel what the Universe really is may help us solve problems closer to home. 

David McConville spoke to BBC Future at the Aspen Ideas Festival. 

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