Science in Pictures – Life Is Beautiful!

Through the lens of a fluorescence microscope, this exhibition reveals the unexpected beauty of human, plant, and animal cells. Some thirty images—true works of natural art—unveil the intimate architecture of living organisms, usually invisible to the naked eye. Colorful, graphic, and at times almost abstract, these scientific photographs transform the infinitely small into fascinating landscapes.

Captured by scientists in Montpellier and derived from the work of users and engineers at the Montpellier Imaging Resources (MRI) platform, these images showcase the visual richness of the living world at the cellular level. The nonprofit organization Addict aux Sciences supports and promotes these projects to share them with the public. By building bridges between research, art, and society, it enables these scientific images to leave the laboratories and become a visual experience accessible to everyone.

Ariane Abrieu, a researcher in cell biology and president of Addict aux Sciences, will give a presentation on the exhibition. Light refreshments will be provided by Itinérances Fotos.

This exhibition, created to mark the 20th anniversary of the “Montpellier Ressources Imagerie” platform, was first presented at the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier, with the support of the University of Montpellier, in October 2023. Since then, it has been featured at several photography festivals. Notably, it will be presented in Sète by “Itinérances Foto” from May 14 to 31, 2026.