The Deep
The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss

 Qoutes

« In a few steps, we find ourselves in deep seas, whose « Abysses » exhibition presents the longed for opportunity to explore its marvels. There, 1,000 leagues away from the human eye, extraordinary creatures flourish (…) Their names are poetic, and their appearances surrealistic (…) one believes they must have emerged from a poet’s dream or a child’s nightmare. »

--Libération

«Creatures that seem to have emerged from a sci-fi series, surrealistic pictures that resemble pieces of art. Terrifying and magical all the same! Not to be missed. »

--Elle

 «Magical! This descent into the ocean’s deep seas is the equal of any sci-fi journey. It thrusts the visitor into a dark jewel case where forty aquariums and water columns contain hidden surprising animals. Even though these extremely rare creatures, used to cold conditions, pressure and obscurity did not survive their seizure, thanks to a special treatment, they almost appear here alive. (…). Marvels, including some world exclusive creatures that deserve to be unveiled! Besides, all of them are abundantly documented and their adaptation to the environment meticulously described.

--Science et Avenir

Details

The deep sea is irrevocably linked with darkness, crushing pressure, extreme depths and, for many still, the absence of life… Into The Deep recreates this inaccessible pitch-black environment, and thus offers a journey into the shady depths… But first, the visitor is greeted by a world teeming with unexpected life and shining bright colors.

The exhibition includes both photographs and films that have, for a lot of them, never before been displayed, and a world first: the largest collection of deep-sea creatures ever gathered to date.

In order to show these extraordinary creatures – true deep-sea gems because of their rarity and fragility – the design of the exhibition Into The Deep evokes a sense of luxury through its sheer visual quality. The photographs, exclusive to this event, are therefore exhibited in their splendor using the high-end choice for photography display: backlighting and “Duratrans” (C-prints). The animals are shown in sober contemporary columns, which resemble jewelers’ window displays. Precise, directional lighting illuminates these “intra-terrestrial” specimens within the dark setting. Other than the omnipresence of black, the sensation of immersion is reinforced by an interactive “abyssal” soundtrack.

Overall, the exhibition offers an aesthetic and creative design, which enhances the reaction of the public on first contact with the deep-sea fauna.