In a mesmerising journey into the watery depths, the solo exhibition “Midnight Zone” by French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière (b. 1987) delves into the enigmatic world of water. With captivating displays including a dazzling light emanating from a rotating Fresnel lens and colossal submerged glaciers, visitors are invited to experience the awe-inspiring nature of our planet’s most essential resource.
Charrière’s multimedia works are a profound synthesis of art, environment, and science, emphasising the crucial role of water in sustaining life on Earth. This exhibition not only showcases the sensual and metaphorical dimensions of water but also addresses pressing political issues. Among these concerns are water pollution, acidification, the alarming melting of glaciers and polar ice caps due to climate change, and the risks posed by deep-sea mining to oceanic ecosystems.
Ongoing until July 12, 2026
Curators: Andreas Beitin, Dino Steinhof
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
@julian.charriere
@kunstmuseumwolfsburg
@dittrichschlechtriem
Installation view, Midnight Zone, Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg, Germany, 2026
© The Artist / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn [current year]
Photos by Jens Ziehe
The term “Midnight Zone” refers to a scientific classification of the ocean’s depths, specifically the region between 1,000 and 4,000 meters, where darkness reigns. This concept serves as both the title and the foundational theme of the exhibition. At its heart lies the innovative video installation that captures rays of light projected by a descending Fresnel lens, once a beacon in lighthouses, into the pitch-black water of the Pacific Ocean. As schools of different fish flock to the radiant light circling the lens, Charrière invites viewers to reflect on the vital biodiversity of these largely uncharted realms and the urgent need for their protection.
To enhance this immersive experience, a unique glass pavilion was designed specifically for the exhibition at Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg. Inside this site-specific octagonal structure, the rotating Fresnel lens becomes a mesmerising lantern, casting dynamic beams of light that leave a ghostly imprint on the art displayed beyond.
“Midnight Zone” marks the most extensive solo exhibition of Julian Charrière’s esteemed career, created in partnership with the Museum Tinguely in Basel, Switzerland. The scenography, crafted exclusively for Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, offers an engaging experience where image, sound, and physical presence converge. Viewers can engage with the critical themes surrounding oceans, water, and the rich biodiversity found within as they navigate through Charrière’s transformative works, which blend film, sculpture, photography, and installation.
Accompanying the exhibition is a scientifically substantiated and richly illustrated publication developed in close collaboration with the artist. The book includes essays from notable figures such as Stacy Alaimo, Rachel Carson, Susan Casey, Peter H. Gleick, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Amorina Kingdon, Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Sara A. Rich, and Helen M. Rozwadowski, alongside an in-depth interview with Julian Charrière conducted by curators Andreas Beitin and Roland Wetzel. This comprehensive text is available in English, with German translations accessible via QR code, and spans 272 pages. It can be purchased in the museum shop or at kunstmuseum.ticketfritz.de for €45.
With its stunning visuals and thought-provoking content, Julian Charrière’s “Midnight Zone” is not just an exhibition; it’s a compelling call to acknowledge the beauty and fragility of one of our planet’s most vital elements.
