The Fondation Bastien Gallery has chosen to open its doors with an exhibition commemorating a historical volcanic eruption that took place on Ambrym island, Vanuatu in 1913. This was one of the largest volcanic explosions in these islands in the last 400 years.
The destruction of the villages around Dip Point and the ashes and unbreathable air in most of Ambrym's villages brought about a massive population displacement (around 3000 people) to the neighbouring islands of Malekula, Pentecost and Paama. This memorable natural event is now part of the common History of Vanuatu.

The originality of the exhibition is that it mixes artists and scientists.
The artists have chosen to work on the memory, each representing in their own way the incredible vision of the island on fire, the solidarity the event gave rise to, our fears and our fascination for the giants that are the volcanoes.

A section of the exhibition presents some historical documents and photos of the time of the eruption.

The Geohazards division of the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department is also participating in the exhibition and give the essential scientific information necessary to the understanding of the volcanic geodynamics of the Vanuatu islands, and in particular of the island of Ambrym