Eclipse image credit: Rick Fienberg / Sky & Telescope
Join us for a one-night exhibition of Jessica MacMillan’s “Insolations”, including an artist’s talk and solar eclipse viewing (weather dependent).
EXHIBITION
Where: Artica Svalbard, vei 608-3
When: open from 16:30 - 17:30 (talk by artist at 17:00)
“Insolations” is an ongoing sculpture series where the artist places spherical glass lenses into wooden bowls and leaves them outside for set periods of time. As the sun travels across the sky, the sunlight is focused to a point, and burns its path across the inside of the bowl.
Over the last two months she has burned over 40 bowls, capturing the changing angle of the sun in the sky, and the patterns of passing clouds. These works from her residency will be on view at Artica for one night only.
SOLAR ECLIPSE
On August 12th between 18:28 - 20:19, there will be a 90% solar eclipse visible from Longyearbyen, weather permitting. If the weather is clear, Jessica will set out several wooden bowls on a hilltop near the Svalbard Global Seed Vault to capture the two-hour eclipse in the burns.
ECLIPSE UPDATE (12.08.2026)
The weather is looking a little unstable this evening, so we can’t guarantee that the eclipse will be visible — but we’ll be at the viewing site from 18:00 and hope the clouds are kind to us!
Eclipse begins: 18:28
Peak coverage: 19:25
Location: Hilltop near the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (see map below)
Visitors are welcome to join us on the hilltop during the eclipse. We have 20 pairs of eclipse glasses available on a first come, first served basis.
Please remember: Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye or homemade equipment. Only use certified eclipse glasses, solar filters or solar telescopes.
Hiking shoes are recommended, and bring something to sit on. The viewing site is outside the polar bear safety zone, so please take responsibility for your own safety and transport to and from the site.
Fingers crossed for a break in the clouds!
Residency and production support for "Insolations" generously provided by:
Arts Council Norway, The American-Scandinavian Foundation and Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond