Galerie Camera Obscura in Paris is currently showcasing a compelling new exhibition titled "Kōan" by renowned Guatemalan artist Luis González Palma. The exhibition, which opened recently, will run through December 24, 2025, offering visitors an extended opportunity to experience this unique artistic vision. González Palma, born in Guatemala in 1957, currently lives and works in Córdoba, Argentina, where he continues to develop his distinctive artistic practice.
The exhibition centers around González Palma's series "El Sol," which draws its conceptual foundation from Zen Buddhist philosophy. In his artist statement, González Palma explains the philosophical underpinnings of his work, noting that "Kōan is a question without logical solution in Zen philosophy." He further elaborates that the purpose of a kōan is "to break habitual patterns of thought in order to enter a sudden state of enlightenment."
The artist chose this meaningful title specifically for its dual nature, describing it as carrying "ambiguous feelings between enigma and illumination." This philosophical framework serves as the foundation for what González Palma describes as "a visual reflection based on astronomical photographs made by the Córdoba Observatory" in Argentina. The connection to the observatory in his current city of residence adds a personal dimension to the work while grounding it in scientific observation.
González Palma's approach to these astronomical images reveals his deeper spiritual interpretation of cosmic phenomena. He explains that "the use of geometry in these images, for me, is linked to a writing of the sacred, to a cosmic order that I describe as divine." This perspective transforms scientific documentation into contemplative art that bridges the gap between empirical observation and spiritual meditation.
The exhibition is housed at Galerie Camera Obscura, located at 268 Boulevard Raspail in Paris's 14th arrondissement. The gallery, which specializes in photography and visual arts, provides an appropriate venue for González Palma's work that combines photographic elements with philosophical inquiry. Visitors can contact the gallery at 01 45 45 67 08 or visit their website at www.galeriecameraobscura.fr for additional information about the exhibition and related programming.
