Notes from the Observatory

Exhibition commission, 2023

A commission of new work for the exhibition Prendre le Soleil (Seize the Sun) at Hangar Y, Meudon, France. December 2023 - April 2024.

A series of drawings on sketchbook pages in pencil, pen and ink, made in response to a research trip to the Meudon and Paris Observatories and a conversation with solar physicist Dr Nicole Vilmer of the Meudon Observatory.

These drawings remember the experience of walking through and talking with the places and people of the observatory. They are based on conversations, observations and imaginings of the sun’s magnetic fields, sunspots and solar flares, as well as the effects of gravitational and centrifugal forces on the Earth. Eighteenth century engravings from the Observatory’s ’s collection in Paris and the landscape and architecture of the Meudon campus also appear.

I was shown around the Meudon Observatory by its director Vincent Coudé du Foresto and astrophysicist Dr Miguel Montarges and was introduced to the collection of engravings and lithographs in the Paris Observatory’s library by Anna Nouet.

Exhibition curated by Aurélie Baron, Luce Lebart and Marta Ponsa.