Louisianians know a thing or two about the sun’s heat.
Now at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, there is more to learn.
In honor of the International Year of Light, the museum opened its “Sun Light/Star Light: Contemplations on the Solar Orb” exhibit, an intimate look at the sun and all its glory.
The exhibition brings together a selection of international artists and features paintings, light sculptures and digital works to make people think about the relationship they have with the star.
“Each individual piece in the exhibition is a little
contemplation on that artist’s thought about the sun,” Curator Elizabeth Weinstein said. “Together, of course, they make the whole.”
Weinstein said she put together “Sun Light/Star Light: Contemplations on the Solar Orb” because she enjoys creating exhibits based on subjects people are familiar with but can look at differently.
She said people sometimes forget the sun is a star, and how big it is in comparison to Earth. The exhibit is here to remind everyone.
“The sun is universal. It’s something we all as human beings appreciate,” Weinstein said. “Woven through the exhibit, you have the beautiful aesthetics, imaginary works, things that are more scientific, and you have a layer of spirituality too.”
One of the most striking aspects of “Sun Light/Star Light” is the giant “Solar Flare” sun fixture made of more than 100 acrylic tubes and weighing about 400 pounds. A sensor bulb in the fixture causes it to twinkle and project shimmering light patterns on the gallery walls.
Weinstein said the “Solar Flare” is a favorite amongst museum visitors, and she’s seen children dancing underneath.
To add a bit of family fun to the exhibit, “Sun Light/Star Light: Contemplations on the Solar Orb” provides an opportunity to take a “selfie with the sun.” People can stand near the digitally presented, color-changing surface of the sun and take photos. The exhibit also features a chance to make personalized suncatchers to hang in windows on sunny days.
So far, younger visitors have been loving the exhibit.
Museum guide Mina Major said when children come into the gallery space, they are instantly wowed.
“They walk in here, and it’s like bright eyes, bushy tails,” Major said. “I love the faces of the children.”
Taking a “selfie with the sun” is a big hit, especially with young people. The museum normally does not allow pictures, so when it does for an exhibit like this, visitors go crazy over it, Major said.
One museumgoer decided the sun would be her entertainment platform while taking a selfie.
“We had a little girl talking about how she wanted to do Broadway shows and this was her stage,” Major said. “She was very excited about it. That will stand out to me until the end of this exhibit.”
Though “Sun Light/Star Light” focuses on its star, the sun isn’t the only part of the solar system included. Weinstein thought it would only be right to conclude the exhibit with the moon.
“We wouldn’t have moonlight if it wasn’t for the sun,” Weinstein said. “Moonlight is the reflection of the sun on the moon, and it gives us light to see by at night. It comes full circle.”
“Sun Light/Star Light: Contemplations on the Solar Orb” closes Jan. 3, 2016.
Louisiana Art and Science Museum showcases the sun with new exhibit
October 19, 2015
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