super/collider and Turner Contemporary Margate present “Light Reflections” with artist Armelle Tulunda and astronomer Paul Hill.

This event is part of the Turner Contemporary’s Margate Sky Live Feed Programme. For centuries artists have been inspired by Margate’s sea and skies. From JMW Turner to Tracey Emin, they have been long revered and are now an Instagram sensation.

The view from Turner Contemporary’s windows looks out over the horizon and often frames mesmerizing sunsets.  Whilst closed, the Turner has installed a live camera so that audiences around the world can be inspired by the sea and sky, wherever they are. The live feed will run 24 hours a day for one week via this webpage.

Armelle Tulunda will introduce her most recent project. While studying at École Nationale Supérieure d'Art et de Design de Nancy, she wrote her dissertation, Le sublime cosmique, on the significance of astronomical images in our ways to imagine, and connect to outer space. Armelle will discuss how writing this dissertation led her to create a new body of works using scientific imagery as raw material. Within her work, Armelle uses illusory objects, sound recordings from Voyager, environmental issues, natural and artificial light.

Following Armelle’s talk, Paul Hill will explain in detail about solstices and equinoxes, as well as the phases of the Moon and why we see them as we do. Paul will also explain about the sunset, discussing why we see the vibrant colours within the famous sunsets of Margate.

Paul Hill will tune in from his home town in Wiltshire, providing a live stream of the Sun from his telescope. During this event, we will discuss the celestial objects that we can see in the sky.

Armelle Tulunda is an artist who finds inspiration in astronomy, optics, scientific research and philosophy. Her practice includes works on paper, light installations, photography and video. She questions scientific images and the consequences of the evolution of technologies used in astronomical tools. Throughout her work, Armelle investigates our evolving relationship to the unknowable. Previous projects include exhibitions in Nancy (FR, 2020), London (UK, 2019) as well as a residency in Atina (IT, 2018).

Paul Hill is an elected fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, co-presenter and writer of Awesome Astronomy podcast, a Space Ambassador for ESERO and has appeared on BBC News and Radio to discuss a range of astronomy and space issues.