PRESS RELEASE
BE A STAR
Atomium - 26.11
2010
> 25.04
2011
Overview 04
A word from the Atomium
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A word from the Planetarium
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EXHIBITION : COSMOS. BE A STAR - Atomium
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The intentions : vertigo and emotion The ideal stage set • The journey
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VIDEO PROJECTION : THE VIOLENT UNIVERSE - Planetarium
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EXHIBITION : FROM THE EARTH TO THE UNIVERSE Outdoor trail
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Atomium - Planetarium combined ticket
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Placepublique
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Acknowledgements and partnerships
A digital planetarium ! A violent spectacle !
The 3 dimensions of the Universe What stage is the universe at and what do we know today of its history ? Finally understand the big bang ! How does our solar system work ? Why does the sky provoke so many existential questions ? By providing the scientific basis necessary to understand the issue, the exhibition “Cosmos. Be a Star” takes the visitor on an educational and sensory journey of discovery through the 3 dimensions of the universe : scientific, artistic and philosophical, stimulating dialogue between the cosmos, the arts, science and philosophy. Patron : Mr. Frank De Winne, ESA astronaut Atomium - 26.11
2010
> 25.04
2011
A word from the Atomium
A word from the Planetarium
With “Cosmos. Be a Star”, the Atomium plunges to the heart of the universe, taking a look at interpretations of the sky by scientists, poets, philosophers and artists. Between an exploration of the sky and a voyage through space in a most extraordinary vessel, you have the opportunity to discover other galaxies.
As Director General of the Royal Observatory of Belgium and its Planetarium, I am especially pleased to have embarked on this collaboration with the Atomium which will allow an even broader audience to discover the beauties of the cosmos and the questions it raises.
By providing the scientific basis necessary to understand the issue, the exhibition “Cosmos. Be a Star” offers a perspective on the 3 dimensions of the universe : scientific, artistic and philosophical.
What is a planetarium ? Every year, more than a hundred million people visit on of the thousands of planetariums across the world. They are magical places enabling visitors to contemplate the beauties of the starlit sky : the viewer is taken on a journey through the heavens, panoramic landscapes and images of the stars.
An embodiment of this faith in scientific progress translated into a feat of architecture, the Atomium, a symbol of modernity since 1958, in its turn explores and explains the cosmos. Space, whether real or imagined, challenges and intrigues and “Cosmos. Be a Star” takes the visitor on an educational and sensory journey that stimulates dialogue between the cosmos, the arts, science and philosophy.
The Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium offers the visitor an exciting and dynamic show, plunging them into the centre of an impressive 360° spectacular. Be there at a rocket launch, fly over a planetary landscape, see the Earth from space, visit the International Space Station – all can become reality !
Based on an original idea from the Cité des Sciences in Paris, “Cosmos. Be a Star” is the fruit of collaboration with the Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, without which our exhibition would not have been possible. The Planetarium joins our exploration of the cosmos not only with From the Earth to the Universe, an outdoor trail between our two buildings, but also with a new video spectacular, The Violent Universe. What does the sky tell us? In the final analysis, things which are very much down to earth...
henri simons
_ Atomium Director
arnaud bozzini
_ Exhibitions Manager ronald van der linden _ Director General of the Royal Observatory of Belgium
EXHIBITION : COSMOS. Be a Star - Atomium >
The intentions : vertigo and emotion
The journey
The cosmos has inspired poets and artists, stirred and excited the curiosity of scholars and set the pattern of life in society. The cosmos, realm of fantasies and absolute projections, mirror of earthly realities, it reflects the successive ideas on which mankind has built. Since the dawn of humanity, man has been fascinated by the sky and the stars.
An ascent into space
Questions relating to the universe are intimately linked with the large philosophical issues which confront and have always confronted man (its origins, the notion of time and space, existential torments, doubts and the search for the sublime, the meaning of life, etc.). The arts have also been a vehicle for interpretation of the sky (painting, photography, music, film, dance, sculpture, literature, poetry, etc.).
This installation is the work of Valère Terrier, digital artist.
By providing the basis of the scientific information that allows a grasp/understanding of the subject, we wish to demonstrate the constant dialogue between the arts and science, between science and philosophy. This ongoing debate, continuously revitalised and discussed, will be explored to the full in the exhibition. To understand, question and feel, between vertigo and emotion, this is where the ideas and images in the Cosmos exhibition will lead.
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The escalator leading to the first level of the exhibition is the ideal place to embark on the cosmic voyage. As visitors pass by, an immersion in sound and images begins.
Dialogue between the sciences, art and philosophy The first level is immersed in darkness and brought to life by a light graphics. Scientific information and illustrations tell the story of the universe, the bigbang, the stars.
The ideal stage set The Atomium lends itself perfectly to the subject. The architecture creates the ideal setting in which to project a reconstruction of the skies. The visitor is immersed in the light and sound of the set. The sphere devoted to exhibitions is divided into two spaces : in an atmosphere of darkness and light, the first level focuses on educational information presented in a fun way. The vertigo of the immense expanse, of chaos, of the formation of the universe and mankind’s place on earth progressively gives way to emotion. The images of space and the viewpoints of artists who have “interpreted” the skies are used to bring clarity to the concept. The second level is devoted to a “spectacle of the skies”. A video installation using a series of small projectors positioned throughout the area takes viewers, plunged into the semi-darkness, on a journey into space: stars, constellations, the Milky Way, galaxies, etc. The content is understandable to children from the age of 10. Sometimes the information is more complex but is nevertheless accessible to adults and older children. The works are chosen for their universal validity.
On the floor, constellations of stars extend right to the circular wall and ask questions to the visitor through a range of ideas : • fear and fascination inspired by the skies : fear of the dark ? • the notion of time : does time exist ? • the notion of space : how to imagine infinity ? • the question of chance and necessity : were we part of the design of the cosmos ? • human consciousness : “I think, therefore I am“ • and the place of god(s) in it all ?
VIDEO PROJECTION : THE VIOLENT UNIVERSE - Planetarium The Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium From 26 November 2010, the Planetarium will be open on weekdays and every weekend, and the brand new 360° spectacular “The Violent Universe” will be available in Dutch, French and English. The Planetarium has purchased a high performance, multilingual audio system which will allow visitors to follow the spectacle directly in comfort in the language of their choice. And tourists from abroad will not be left out, as an English version will also be available.
Along the wall, portholes conceal surprises: painting, music, film, photography, dance… ancient and contemporary works illustrate the torment, wonder, fascination and inspiration that the sky, the stars and the phenomena associated with them evoke in artists.
The Planetarium is significantly extending its opening hours. The spectacle will be shown every weekday at 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays also at 2 and 3 p.m. And in a new initiative: it will be open to the public all day from 10.30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The spectacle will be shown almost every hour on the hour at weekends (11 a.m., 12 noon, 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m. to allow the building to close at 6 p.m.). The weekend schedule will also apply on public holidays and during school holidays .
A spectacle devoted to the cosmos ! A video installation made up of some 30 small projectors takes the viewer on a journey into space : the stars, the constellations, the planets, the Milky Way, the galaxies… All the images shown come from the Hubble telescope. Beauty and poetry go hand in hand with scientific information and questions. Credit : ESO and NASA
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A digital planetarium ! The Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium welcomes visitors to its completely redesigned projection room, fitted with the latest equipment comprising eight state-of-the-art video projectors which can cover the entire 23-metre diameter dome. The viewer is immersed in a powerful image projected on to the whole 840 m2 surface. With an astronomical database of over 100,000 stars, it is now possible to travel among the planets, fly over the surface of Mars or close in on Saturn’s rings. And why stop there ? Do you dare to leave the solar system, or even the Milky Way ? Will you be tempted to explore the very edges of the Universe ?
Two other installations fill the remaining space on the second level : Walking on the moon ! Two telescopes show pictures of man’s first steps on the moon and Mélies’s 1902 film “A Trip to the Moon”.
My image in infinity An installation made up of mirrors lets the visitor see his image multiplied to infinity, creating a vertiginous sensation.
The team Curatorship and museography _ agence placepublique Projection and staging _ Pierre Nouvel and David Thoumazeau Graphic design _ Pam&Jenny
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A violent spectacle ! There is no longer any excuse not to face the “The Violent Universe”, the Planetarium’s impressive new 360° film : explosions of stars, collisions of galaxies, destructive asteroids : the life of the Universe is certainly not that of a long slow river, as this impressive fulldome film shows. Prepare to be swept away !
EXHIBITION: “FROM THE EARTH TO THE UNIVERSE” - Outdoor trail This outdoor exhibition between our two buildings is a collection of 28 superb astronomical images taken by the largest observatories and space satellites and showing the most impressive views of our Universe. These pictures show the incredible range of astronomical objects which have been discovered to date : planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, clusters, etc. The whole Universe in a few steps !
A combined ticket offers visitors to the Atomium or Planetarium a reduced price and from 26 November the chance to visit the exhibition “Cosmos. Be a Star” at the Atomium and a show at the Planetarium. An offer certain to prove attractive.
Combined Atomium & Planetarium
Adult Senior +65 Child 6 >11 Child +12 Teacher
15€ 11€ 9€ 11€ 12€
Groups 20 P.
Placepublique is an agency specialising in the design and implementation of cultural projects – museography, scenography and events. Convey feelings, share knowledge, bet on intelligence, provide reference points and offer a collective experience designed to inform, educate, question and evoke emotion – these are the values we try to share with everyone who commissions our work. Every project is supported by a network of experts : specialists in museography, scenography and programming, artists, scientists, historians, designers, multimedia concept artists, graphic artists and artistic directors, all able to support clients through every phase and in every aspect of their projects.
ATOMIUM & PLANETARIUM combined ticket
Individual
Placepublique
Combined Atomium & Planetarium
Adult Senior +65 Child 6 >11 Child +12 Teacher
12€ 9€ 6€ 8€ 9€
The Atomium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On 24 December 2010 and 31 December 2010 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On 25 December 2010 and 1 January 2011 from 12 noon. to 6 p.m. Planetarium - projection times : Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays : 4 p.m. Wednesdays : 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Weekends, public holidays and school holidays : 11 a.m., 12 noon, 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m. No showings on 24 and 25 December and 1 January 2011.
Placepublique has been jointly responsible for a number of projects (museography, curatorship, project co-ordination) in Belgium and abroad : the French pavilions for the Universal Expo (Aichi 2005 - Japan) and International Expo (Zaragoza 2008 - Spain), the pavilion of Temporary Happiness (Atomium, 2008), the Bipolar and Africa fast forward exhibitions (Atomium 2008 and 2009), the European Quarter discovery circuit for the Belgian Presidency (King Baudouin Foundation, 2010), For the “Cosmos. Be a Star” exhibition, the agency was assisted by Pierre Nouvel _ video and staging, David Thoumazeau _ staging, Pam&Jenny _ graphic design.
Acknowledgements and partnerships “Cosmos. Be A STAR“ is an exhibition staged in the Atomium in collaboration with the Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium and the Cité des Sciences (Paris) Patron Mr. Frank De Winne _
esa astronaut.
Addresses Atomium Temporary exhibition sphere Square de l’Atomium B-1020 BRUSSELS T. 02 475 47 77 M. info@atomium.be www.atomium.be/cosmos Planétarium Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium 10 Avenue de Bouchout B-1020 BRUSSELS T. 02 474 70 50 M. planetarium@planetarium.be www.planetarium.be Press contacts Inge Van Eycken (NL & EN) inge@atomium.be - 0479 950594 Arnaud Bozzini (FR & EN) arnaud@atomium.be - 0476 532031 Atomium Henri Simons _
director
Arnaud Bozzini _ exhibitions manager Axel Addington, Etienne Vandercruyssen and Inge Van Eycken _ media and communications Johan Vandenperre _ electrical engineering and audio-visual production And all the Atomium team Planetarium Ronald Van der Linden _ director general of the royal observatory of belgium Rodrigo Alvarez _ manager of the planetarium of the royal observatory of belgium Anne-Lize Kochuyt _ communications manager, planetarium anne-lize.kochuyt@planetarium.be - 0486 788228 Design and production Placepublique Graphics Pam & Jenny _ exhibition SIGN _ communications
www.designbysign.com