The mystery of the rings

Off the coast of Cape Corsica, more than 1,400 rings twenty or so metres in diameter make up a one-of-a-kind ensemble. Formed of 8,000-year-old calcareous algae, they are home to a remarkable biodiversity.

In 40 photographs and a ten-minute film, the exhibition tells the story of the missions undertaken by the photographer Laurent Ballesta and a team of scientists, Gombessa 6, between 2021 and 2024. The itinerary is accompanied by a sonic composition fostering visitor’s immersion in this marine world.

The images illustrate the huge plain on which the rings take shape as far as the eye can see, their perfect geometry and the life that thrives within them, as well as the threats that weigh on these ecosystems. The blue of the dizzying depths alternates with the colours and delicacy of the rings’ inhabitants, providing a poetic yet naturalistic depiction of them. In addition to the beauty of the seabed, the exhibition also spotlights the innovative diving techniques employed during these expeditions and shares some of Laurent Ballesta’s and his team’s anecdotes.