MUSEmemoirs

Info

• Dates: 26.01.24 – 07.04.24
• Curator: Lauranne Germond
• Where: Drawing Lab
• Price: free

Have you ever reflected on the importance of beavers for our environment? That is the focus of this exhibition, in particular the subject of this series by Suzanne Husky. Winner of the Prix Drawing Now 2023, Suzanne Husky has been exploring environmental issues since the 2000s through her art, particularly emphasizing the human impact on the environment. Presented at Drawing Lab, a space within the Drawing Hotel dedicated exclusively to exhibiting contemporary design, this series delves into a very peculiar theme: the essential role of beavers in balancing nature and the environment.

Drawing inspiration and data from the 2022 GIEC report, Husky highlights how beavers could serve as a solution to combat climate change. The exhibition thus holds both visual and scientific interests, serving as a form of visual documentation. One notable piece is the frieze titled “A Geopolitical History of Alliances between Humans and Beavers through the Ages,” which chronologically represents the decline of beavers in our ecosystems due to human activities, emphasizing the crucial role of this animal. Spanning almost eight meters in length, the frieze serves as a compelling testament that tells the geopolitical story of human-beaver alliances through the ages.

The exhibition is not too big, but the drawings (mostly watercolours) hanged on the wall create a true naturalistic atmosphere. Beyond aesthetics, the exhibition serves as an informative and educational platform, employing simple visual schemes to vividly illustrate the profound impact of beavers’ activities on their ecosystems. Through these visual narratives, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the intricate ecological balance that beavers help maintain.

Husky’s passionate ecological activism reverberates throughout the exhibition, infusing each piece with a sense of urgency and purpose. As visitors engage with the artwork, they are not merely spectators but participants in a dialogue about humanity’s relationship with nature and the exhibition leaves a mark on its audience, inspiring reflections and discussions.

My personal highlights:

• A Geopolitical History of Alliances between Humans and Beavers through the Ages (2023)