In 1736, Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis was sent by the Royal Science Academy at the head of a scientific expedition to the Tornio Valley to ascertain the true shape of the Earth.
Axel Straschnoy
Maupertuis et Celsius (2014)
Pigment print on cotton paper
75 x 58 cm unframed
In 2013, Doctors Osmo Pekonen and Johan Stén, historians of XVIII century science, retraced his steps.
Axel Straschnoy
La Figure de la Terre (2014)
3-channel video installation
23:47 minutes
La Figure de la Terre is a three-screen film by Axel Straschnoy based on the book by the same name written by the French scientist Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis on the scientific expedition he lead.
In what was one of the first-ever scientific expeditions, Maupertuis demonstrated Newton's theories and determined the true shape of the Earth. Dr. Osmo Pekonen, the foremost authority on the expedition, plays the role of Maupertuis. Anders Celsius is played by Dr. Johan Stén, who is also a researcher of the history of science in the 1700s.
Axel Straschnoy
Maupertuis sur Niemivaara (2014)
Pigment print on cotton paper
87 x 58 cm unframed
The film is accompanied by an edition of pigment prints on cotton paper portraying the historians reenacting Maupertuis’ book, the star they used to take their measurements as well as the Reindeer constellation created by Pierre Charles le Monnier to commemorate the expedition.
Axel Straschnoy
L’Étoile Altais (2014)
Pigment print on cotton paper
47 x 31 cm unframed
Axel Straschnoy
La constellation de Tarandus (2014)
Pigment print on cotton paper
47 x 31 cm unframed
Axel Straschnoy
Maupertuis etCelsius rement sur le lac Ajanki (2014)
Pigment print on cotton paper
87 x 58 cm unframed
La Figure de la Terre
STARRING
Dr. Osmo Pekonen, Dr. Johan Stén, and Dr. Elina Mustonen
Music
Jean-Philippe Rameau
selected and interpreted by
Dr. Elina Mustonen
Sound design
Karri Niinivaara
Production Assistant
Seppo-Tapio Kari
Directed by
Axel Straschnoy
Supported by
AVEK, TAIKE, Tornio city, and the Maupertuis Foundation
Produced by
Kolme Perunaa