ESA: Air Show – Paris

ESA Pavilion at the international trade fair for the aerospace industry.

The “Salon International de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace” (SIAE) in Paris, Le Bourget is one of the world’s largest and most renowned trade fairs for the aerospace industry. This time, 2,453 international exhibitors presented products and innovations on 125,000 square metres, including the European Space Agency (ESA). The Space Pavilion presented the central tasks and missions of the European Space Agency and was designed by Ars Electronica Solutions. The presentation combined interactive elements, artefacts, light and sound and offered visitors an exciting and informative experience. The Paris International Air Show took place from 19 to 25 June 2023 and was open to nearly 150,000 trade visitors, and from 23 June to the general public.

From “Enabling and Support” (technology, engineering and quality, operations and space transportation) to “Science and Exploration” (human and robotic exploration, space science) and “Applications” (earth observation, navigation and connectivity, and secure communications) to “Space Safety”- the Space Pavilion provides insights into the cosmos of the European Space Agency.
This “Science Experience”, designed by the Ars Electronica Solutions team, interactively presented all directorates with their current and future missions. Visitors created and experienced colourful worlds of light and sound that culminated in the central element representing ESA’s future ambitions. The highlight was a line animation that moved permanently through the room and was used as a programmed mediation tool. Ars Electronica Solutions’ commissioned work for the European Space Agency was based on the claim that knowledge transfer should be staged as an immersive experience that appeals to a broad public, arouses interest in complex topics and conveys the importance of scientific research for our society and future.

The European Space Agency is dedicated to the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of mankind. Founded in 1975, today 22 countries participate in ESA to push the frontiers of science and technology and promote economic growth in Europe.

Ars Electronica Solutions conceives, designs and implements interactive and multisensory experiences for temporary and permanent public exhibitions, brand landscapes, trade fairs and events. Ars Electronica Solutions has been working for ESA for years and was commissioned, among other things, with the conception and realisation of the interactive visitor centre (Φ-Experience) at the Earth Observation Site (ESRIN) in Frascati.
The Space Pavilion in Le Bourget is another building block in the field of interactive knowledge transfer with a focus on science communication (Science Experience) – a business unit of Ars Electronica Solutions that is distinguished by its strong networking with scientific institutions. Ars Electronica Solutions is a division of Ars Electronica Linz GmbH und CO Kg.