“Digital Abysses” at the budding museum: 3 reasons to go
What do we really know about abyss? If we are familiar with fish and surface corals, the landmarks are fading as soon as we dive beyond 4,000 meters. There begin unexplored depths, populated by still unknown life forms.
At the budding museum, a place dedicated to the arts and culture for children, this is what Miguel Chevalier is trying to explore. Known for his digital art, he stages with fairyland a universe as fascinating as it is mysterious.
1. An unsuspected world up to children
It is with the most tiny creatures that the trip begins. Plankton, invisible to the naked eye, becomes in Miguel Chevalier an inexhaustible source of plastic wonder. “These microorganisms invisible to the naked eye have captivating forms for a plastic artist like me,” he explains. From the first room, in the cabinet of curiosities, visitors access another universe which presents real creatures of the abyss, loaned by the National Museum of Natural History as well as the artist’s luminescent sculptures.
These creations of Miguel Chevalier confirm his talent to create a bewitching virtual nature. His great success is to have been able to capture the children’s interest in an obscure world. “When Sylvie Girardet (Founder and director of the budding museum, editor’s note) offered to imagine an exhibition for children, I saw a great opportunity. This captivating universe can arouse the curiosity of the youngest and, who knows how to inspire future biologists or artists. »»
The artist is not at his first try concerning marine depths. In 2018, he had already made a large exhibition at the Bordeaux submarine base. It was on this occasion that he discovered the work of the biologist Christian Sardet and with whom he contacted. A meeting that gives it access to an incredibly rich scientific database that opens up new perspectives. Like the “mandala of plankton”, allowing to observe zooplankton and micro-plans in a fun way, for young and old.
2. Artificial intelligence at the service of plankton
Among the rooms that attract attention, “Digital Plankton IA”. This area incorporates artificial intelligence by relying on a wide range of images of various species. “Here we find images from photographs of real organizations, but I have also invented new ones that do not exist, while inspired by reality,” explains Miguel Chevalier.
Sensitive to interactions, these microorganisms with luminescent colors react to the steps and movements of visitors. “You can change his trajectory, interact with him or repel it,” continues the artist.
A real -time evolution on the soil that absorbs us! And which illustrates the impact of man on nature. “As others handle painting or photography, I use my computer to open reflection and create emotions. It is a mode of expression which seems interesting to me since it allows to open new universes thanks to the interaction and the use of 2D and 3D ”, develops the pioneer of digital art.
3. The magical world of bioluminescence
Miguel Chevalier’s exhibition has the merit of making (re) discover the fascinating phenomenon of bioluminescence. It designates any organism that can shine in darkness but it takes a particularly magical turn in our oceans.
“To explore this effect, I used UV a lot, especially because certain corals are fluorescent and thus light up in darkness. Plankton, among bioluminescent beings, produces almost magical visual phenomena, ”says Miguel Chevalier.
Armed with a lamp, visitors will reveal 6 imaginary abysmal creatures that create light and shine in the dark. Always fictitious, but inspired by a reality whose beauty we perceive during our wandering.
