With its exhibition when the sky tells, currently shows it in the CSM gallery space, Claude Grenier wishes to encourage more people to lift the look more towards the celestial vault. “We are lucky to live in a reserve of starry sky”, shares the one whose photographic works give pride of place to the northern lights.
These phenomena, as majestic as it is ephemeral, have the distinction of revealing their colors in the goal of the camera. With the naked eye, one has the impression of seeing clouds dance, transmits Claude Grenier. “An aurora borealis is the sky that whispers us in the ear. This exhibition is my way of sharing this privilege with those who did not have the chance to look up to the sky at the right time ”.
It was in 2012 that the photographer produced for the first time that northern lights were observable in the region. “I was at Lake Trois-Milles in Sainte-Cécile photographing the Perseids and, without knowing it, I took a northern photo in photo”. Fascinated, he then multiplied these celestial meetings, which knew their peak on the night of May 10 to 11, 2024.
“Many of my photos were taken that night. The hatch was incredible. The northern lights boreales did not appear only in the north but in all directions, even in downtown Lac-Mégantic where I had never seen before, ”says the one who also exhibits some clichés of star skies and Milky Ways.
An application allows him to receive alerts from northern lights, thus guiding his photographic outings. “It is a meeting that is special because there is no specific meeting. It is not known exactly at what time they will be there, or what strength they will have. You go out, you bring your equipment, you position yourself in a place you have thought about and you wait … ”, he confides with passion.
The exhibition when the sky tells is watching until August 17. The opening takes place this Friday, June 27, 5 p.m., in the presence of Claude Grenier. A moment to exchange with him from photography, light … celestial magic.