From the Moon to Mars, article in the Journal de Chambly

With the MOON Steeven Chapados makes the headlines!

Our new artist in residence, Steeven Chapados, is starting 2024 off right with a great interview. Jean-Christophe Noël of the Journal de Chambly is the columnist, assigned to the newspaper's “Arts and culture” articles. Here is the result of their very interesting chat!

Astral projects for Steeven Chapados, From the Moon to Mars

Text by Jean-Christophe Noël

 

Steeven Chapados teaches philosophy at Cégep de Saint-Laurent. (Photos: courtesy) - (Photos: courtesy)

Chambly's Steeven Chapados had a memorable end to 2023. The artist, writer/author and philosophy professor tells his story to the Journal de Chambly.

The man notably launched his book Moon: Culture-Nature-Exploration. The event took place at the Galerie de Miss Rey in Chambly on November 21. The work, of approximately 175 pages, was written "at the chalet" in December 2022. The illustrations used in the work come from his renowned drawing of the Moon, in large format of eight feet by four feet, a reproduction at identical to the first lunar quarter.

Through the pages of this illustrated book, the author reveals the entire history of this star. “Over the centuries, the Moon has been revered, deified and feared by different peoples around the world,” says Steeven Chapados. He speaks of the Moon as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for poets, writers, painters, musicians and even filmmakers. “It also fascinates scientists who have studied it for hundreds of years in all its facets: its physical and orbital characteristics, the hypotheses on its origin and its evolution, its influence on the Earth, its phases and its eclipses, as well as its seas, its craters, its mountain ranges, its escarpments, its valleys and its numerous geological curiosities,” adds the philosophy teacher at the Cégep de Saint-Laurent. In his book, the author also approaches the Moon from a political point of view, through his past and future space explorations and missions.

Steeven Chapados sees the Moon as a collective catalyst. “Everyone loves the Moon. It’s a consensual object and we all have beautiful memories attached to the Moon,” identifies the man who was a lecturer at the University of Montreal and the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières in epistemology and philosophy of science. . Does the Moon lead you to philosophize about life? “When we take the time to observe it, it’s often because we’ve taken a little time for ourselves. It can inspire good late-night conversations and higher,”
agrees Mr. Chapados.

Challenge to draw

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) acquired the original large format drawing of the Moon by Steeven ChapadosThe work is exhibited there, in Saint-Hubert. Its drawing is also a reference for an overview of what can be found on the surface of the Moon. Reproducing it precisely was a challenge. Steeven Chapados explains that when viewed from Earth, the Moon will never be perfectly clear due to Earth's atmosphere. To get around this difficulty, he had to draw inspiration from hundreds of photos taken by NASA, from Elero, a satellite in permanent orbit around the Moon. Thus, he was able to draw his replica. 

The Moon is not enough for Steeven Chapados. After this, he will attack Mars. For NASA, he will reproduce the Red Planet using the same approach as during his work for the Moon.

Moon in Chambly

The original work of the drawing of the Moon held by the ASC has been reproduced in six limited editions, in large format, on different materials. The City of Chambly now owns the number one artistic sextuple, printed on aluminum. It is on display at the library of the Pôle culturelle de Chambly.

Depending on the size of the multiple other reproductions made, as well as the materials used, Steeven Chapados estimates the amounts for the sale of his works between 100 $ and 3,000 $.

MP's Medal

On December 22, Steeven Chapados received an unusual honor. From the hands of the federal deputy for the constituency of Beloeil – Chambly, Yves-François Blanchet, he received the Deputy's Medal. Since May 2022, the initiative aims to reward exceptional personalities from the constituency. Once again, it was at the Miss Rey Gallery that the presentation was orchestrated

Steeven Chapados is not his first writings. He notably published the Philosophical and historical dictionary of logic at the Presses de l’Université Laval and at Hermann. He is also the man behind the series World at Fides. It is also under the banner of Fides that he did it again with his book on the lunar theme.

The Miss Rey Gallery, even more than an exhibition space

Word from the gallery owner

Since the opening of La Galerie de Miss Rey, we have offered not only exhibitions but also very interesting events to the public. The Gallery is a place for meeting, exchange, discussion, celebration, discovery and learning. 

We are proud to offer exhibition activities by local, Quebec artists, from emerging artists to professional artists. We are happy to make art accessible to everyone. And, we are doubly happy that art serves the community through our fundraising activities each year.

The Miss Rey Gallery is even more than an art gallery.