Observatoire de Paris - PSL, partner of the exhibition "Prendre le soleil"

A sensitive exploration of the Sun through the eyes of artists, this exhibition will appeal to contemporary art enthusiasts and astronomy buffs alike, to lovers of sunsets and those content with the simple pleasure of its first rays...

At the invitation of Hangar Y, Observatoire de Paris - PSL was delighted to contribute, as a scientific partner, to an open dialogue between artistic works, scientific productions and popular imagery.

The Observatoire de Paris - PSL has been making daily observations of the Sun’s surface at its Meudon campus for over a hundred years. It boasts a unique collection of over one hundred thousand images, spread over ten cycles of solar activity.

This encounter between art and science, under the auspices of the Sun, has led to a number of collaborative projects :

• Three artists were commissioned to design and produce works inspired by the Observatory’s universe : Abdelkader Benchamma, Rachel Duckhouse and Gwenola Wagon.
• The works are accompanied by archival documents on loan from the Paris Observatory Library - PSL.

• For the duration of the exhibition, the Hangar Y will be hosting events hosted by researchers and astrophysicists from Observatoire de Paris - PSL.
• Finally, with the support of the Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique, one of the entities of Observatoire de Paris - PSL, a scientific tour is offered to the public. Through a selection of six works and objects, an explanatory text written by astrophysicists provides keys to understanding our Sun and the major scientific issues surrounding its observation and study.