DataffectS, exhibition at the Galerie de L’UQAM, from February 11 to April 9, 2022. Opening: February 10, 5:30 pm. Curator: Nathalie Bachand

Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oils on canvas, in the DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oils on canvas, in the DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oils on canvas, in the DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Richard-Max Trembaly

Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oils on canvas, in the DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

Perihelion 4 : 2020-01-29/09:37_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-21, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm. Source: NASA_ Photo : Galerie de l’UQAM

Perihelion 4 : 2020-01-29/09:37_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-21, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm. Source: NASA_ Photo : Galerie de l’UQAM

Perihelion 4 : 2020-01-29/09:37_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-21, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm. Source: NASA_ Photo : Galerie de l’UQAM

Perihelion 4 : 2020-01-29/09:37_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-21, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm. Source: NASA_ Photo : Galerie de l’UQAM

Perihelion 4 : 2020-01-29/09:37_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-21, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 183x183 cm. Source: NASA_ Photo : Galerie de l’UQAM

Perihelion 4 : 2020-01-29/09:37_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-21, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm. Source: NASA_ Photo : Galerie de l’UQAM

Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oils on canvas, in the DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oils on canvas, in the DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

Perihelion 10: 2021-11-21/08:23_HCI Sun Based Frame, 2021-22, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025. Source : NASA

Perihelion 10: 2021-11-21/08:23_HCI Sun Based Frame, 2021-22, Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025. Source : NASA

Perihelion 6: 2020-09-27/09:16_HCI Sun Based Frame, 2021,Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025. Source : NASA

Perihelion 6: 2020-09-27/09:16_HCI Sun Based Frame, 2021,Oil on canvas, 183×183 cm, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025. Source : NASA

Differential Proton flux_STEREO, 2020-21, Oil on canvas,183×183 cm, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025. Source : NASA. Photo : Richard-Max Tremblay

Differential Proton flux_STEREO, 2020-21, Oil on canvas,183×183 cm, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025. Source : NASA. Photo : Richard-Max Tremblay

Having responded in 2018 to a public invitation from NASA to add her name on a memory card incorporated in the Parker Solar Probe, the artist made this conceptual gesture the starting point for a series of large-format oils, the human scale of which harmonizes with the immersive dimension of the cosmos. Over a million names are currently approaching the sun, so to speak. Constructed from satellite data emitted from the probe, these oils are information carriers, linking the spectator to deep space with a capital S. Integrated into the abstract pictorial environment, the perihelions – that is, the data representing the orbital points nearest to the Sun – gathered by the space vehicle as it moves through our galaxy, are the basis for compositions evoking this expedition into the heart of the solar wind – defined by NASA as a cascade of energy composed of a complex system of plasmas, magnetic fields and energy particles. The paintings thus become spaces for possibilities and thought projection. The disseminated presence of the perihelions in the exhibition venue, which will be implemented between now and the closing of the exhibition, will complete this project, the scope of which transcends the physicality of the painting. The production of this series will continue until 2025, that is, until the moment when the space craft plunges into the sun’s atmosphere. Each of the names carried by the probe – including that of the artist – will blend science and myth in the thousandth of a second before dissolving into the fires of the Sun.

Text written by the curator Nathalie Bachand (2021)

Perihelion 1: 2018-11-06/03:27_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-2021, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 122 x 122 cm. Source : NASA. Crédit photo : Richard-Max Tremblay

Perihelion 1: 2018-11-06/03:27_ HCI Sun Based Frame, 2020-2021, in the series Touching the Sun: “Let’s see what lies ahead” (Parker, 2017), 2018-2025, Oil on canvas, 122 x 122 cm. Source : NASA. Crédit photo : Richard-Max Tremblay

Habit d'astronaute, NASA, 2022. Photo: Galerie de l'UQAM

Habit d’astronaute, NASA, 2022. Photo: Galerie de l’UQAM

DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Galerie de l’UQAM

DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Galerie de l’UQAM

DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Galerie de l’UQAM

DataffectS exhibition @ Galerie de l’UQAM_Photo: Galerie de l’UQAM

Perihelion 2: 2019-04-04/22:39_HCI Sun Based Frame, 2,5 x80 cm. Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

Perihelion 2: 2019-04-04/22:39_HCI Sun Based Frame, 2,5 x80 cm. Source: NASA. Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay

 

 

The artist thanks NASA’s A Mission to Touch the Sun for the inscription of her name on the embedded memory card aboard the Parker Solar Probe. She also thanks the NASA [PSP Position Calculator] team for the use of their data.