Exposition – À la découverte du musée d’art contemporain du Val de Marne (MAC VAL)

Throughout the Autumn of Science, come and discover the cyanotype photographic works of artist Soraya Meunier

Discover the poetic and luminous works of Soraya Meunier, also known as sow.cyan. Nature is her main source of inspiration, and through her unique technique, she highlights its fragility. Her cyanotype photographs will adorn our activity room throughout the Autumn of Science. Sow grew up with visually impaired parents and often served as their eyes. This experience shaped her approach to art, prompting her to explore what is invisible or difficult to perceive with the naked eye. After studying photography and audiovisuals, she initially worked as a craft photographer in event management and studio settings. The discovery of cyanotype allowed her to express herself more personally. Her work particularly focuses on captive animals as well as animal and human skeletons. The captive animal reveals a constrained life behind its gaze, while the skeleton becomes the ultimate trace of existence, what remains when the body has disappeared. She creates her cyanotypes on reflective surfaces – mirrors and glass plates – to produce works that trap the viewer within the image. Thus, one never looks alone: our own reflection superimposes itself on that of the captive animal or the skeleton. The visitor then becomes an integral part of the artwork, invited to question their place in what they observe and in their relationship with living things. A portion of the profits from the sale of her works dedicated to animals is donated to PAZ, an association committed to fighting animal captivity and promoting respect for living beings.

Chrysanthème pompon; Credits: Soraya Meunier

Hortensia; Credits: Soraya Meunier