An opening reception themed around the equinox for “Bruit rose” by Cloé Harent (Boutographies 2026)
The stars aligned on Friday, March 20, for the opening of the exhibition dedicated to the work of Cloé Harent as part ofBoutographies1: the event drew a large crowd, reflecting the interest generated by an artistic project at the intersection of photography, science, and sensory experience. On this sunny late afternoon, students, staff, and outside visitors gathered to discover a body of work deeply rooted in contemporary issues concerning life. Held on the very day of the spring equinox, the evening took on a special symbolic significance, featuring depictions ofthe foreshore2 at low tide—a subject dear to the photographer.
A partnership has been confirmed between Les Boutographies
and the Faculty of Sciences
The evening featured several speeches by institutional and artistic representatives. Philippe Augé (University President), Jean-Michel Marin (Dean of the Faculty of Sciences), and Sonia Chalbi (Special Advisor for Art, Culture, and Science at the Faculty of Sciences) emphasized the importance of such a project within the university, thereby making this campus a vibrant hub of life and culture for everyone. Cloé Harent and Christian Maccotta (Artistic Director of Boutographies) expressed their delight at the partnership established between the two institutions since 2022, which fosters a rich dialogue between two worlds. All praised an initiative that brings together scientific perspective and artistic sensibility, opening up spaces for reflection on our relationship with the living world.
A multifaceted project
The experimental and collaborative nature of the project was also on full display during the evening thanks to TAUST (Amateur Theater at the University of Science and Technology). The students presented some particularly remarkable improvisational exercises, brilliantly rising to the challenge of constraints drawn at random from a hat and suggested by the audience. These performances, both playful and demanding, infused the opening with a lively energy, strengthening the interaction between artists and spectators.
The exhibition is not limited to a simple visual stroll: it extends into a trulyimmersive experience, made possible by three musical works that accompany and enrich the experience. This soundscape enhances the images, immersing the visitor in an expanded perception of the landscape, navigating the realms of sensation, memory, and imagination. The sea in motion, the still sea, the receding sea… Ambient and repetitive music beautifully complements the experience, courtesy of artists Sigur Rós, Arvo Pärt, and Huerco S.
Finally, the project is part of an educational and participatory initiative. Students inTU CreativeTU , in collaboration with the SCRIBES association (Salon de Création Récréative et d’Initiation Bienveillante à l’Écriture par les Scientifiques), produced texts during a workshop attended by the photographer. These works will be on display in Building 36 for the duration of the exhibition.
A podcast was recorded in collaboration with Guilhem Desbrosses (Sustainable Development Coordinator at the Faculty of Sciences). You’ll be able to listen to it very soon.
An initiative running through June1
A free writing workshop will also be offered to the general public and staff during the Boutographies Festival on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a limit of twelve participants. Click here to register.
The exhibition was designed as a sensory interlude in which visual, written, and audio works interact with one another. So take a break and come breathe in the fresh sea air at Building 36!
1 Parallel selection featuring the Orangerie, Pierrevives, and the Maison de Heidelberg
2 Coastal area subject to tidal fluctuations and exposed at low tide
3 QR codes located at the entrance to the exhibition facilitate this tour.
Take a look back at the opening of Cloé Harent’s exhibition
