Scientific photography exhibition at the Central Market of Tarragona
At the Central Market of Tarragona, until June 15, you can see an exhibition that is not just any show. We are talking about the best images from the IX Scientific Photography Contest on the Social Networks of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, which break the barrier between science and everyday life.
The photographs, selected for their visual quality and communicative power, bring URV’s research closer to everyone. And it’s not just science: it is science that can be seen, understood, and even moves you.
The categories that explain science
General: science at first glance
In this section, science is revealed in objects and processes that we could see directly. Images such as the dissection of the facial nerve after hours of work or crystals formed when purifying chemical compounds show how research also becomes visible and tangible.
Other photographs captivate with their contribution to various fields: from 3D analysis of the façade of La Pedrera to samples stained to highlight enzymes. A range that makes you think science is not only for closed laboratories.
Microscopic: the hidden universe
Here the gaze delves into what we normally cannot see. Microparticles of polystyrene, histological cuts shaped like hearts, or structures of human tissues reveal invisible but crucial processes. Electron microscopy and other techniques open windows to a tiny world that defines life and research.
The images show everything from fungal spores to leaf stomata. It is a reminder that science often passes through what is unseen, yet determines everything we are.
The human dimension of research
Protagonists: who does science
Science is not only processes and objects; it is also people. This category focuses on the researchers working among test tubes, excavations, or various workspaces. Their work, often invisible, takes the leading role here.
The photographs show the gaze, dedication, and daily life of those who make research progress possible. It is a visual tribute to the effort and passion behind science.
Context and dissemination to understand better
Each image is accompanied by a text explaining what is seen and why it matters. Thus, the exhibition not only teaches but helps us understand the processes, techniques, and scientific questions behind each photograph.
This resource makes science accessible and approachable, showing the diversity and richness of research at URV and associated centers.
The exhibition’s journey
In Tarragona until June 15
The Central Market offers a space where a diverse audience meets science in a fresh and different way. Until mid-June, everyone can approach and see the research done at the University through surprising and content-rich images.
From Tarragona to the Reus Market
Starting June 9, the exhibition will continue its path at the Reus Market, where the public is also expected to enjoy this visual display that challenges the usual perception of science.
To participate, the authors had to post their photographs on social networks with the hashtag #FotoRecercaURV2026, a clear example of how technology and communication can make scientific research shine.
If you are interested in science, this exhibition is a unique opportunity to see it from another perspective, more human and visually striking.
The reality is that science does not always need words to be explained; sometimes, a picture is worth more than a thousand speeches.
Source of the article: Universitat Rovira i Virgili
