By Florence Robert
The Foreman Art Gallery is turning its attention to the natural world this fall with Monologue de la Forêt, a new exhibition by Béchard Hudon, the artistic duo of Catherine Béchard and Sabin Hudon. Curated by Marie- Hélène Leblanc, the exhibition runs from Sept. 25 to Dec. 5 and explores old-growth forests across the Estrie and Outaouais regions.
Béchard and Hudon have worked together for over 25 years, creating works that examine the relationships between the visible and the invisible in natural ecosystems, specifically investigating the notions of microhabitats and the details of nature that lie beyond ordinary human perception.
Photo courtesy of Jillian French
They are particularly interested in places where little human intervention has taken place, making ancient forests a valuable habitat. In Monologue de la Forêt, Béchard Hudon draws attention to the ecosystems that exist within forests and trees themselves. Known as dendro-microhabitats, these are organic structures that provide resources for many different organisms. A tree that may appear dead to the human eye can support an entire network of life.
These details are central to this exhibition and its exploration of forests. By focusing on features that audiences might otherwise overlook, Béchard Hudon encourages people to reconsider what they may be seeing when out in nature. The project bridges art with scientific research through a collaboration with the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences (ISFORT), offering a multidisciplinary view of these environments.
Using specialized sound sensors, the artists recorded the internal movements of trees and the ground, transforming inaudible activity into an intimate listening experience. They also used a full- spectrum digital camera to capture details deep inside the forests. Bèchard Hudon’s work shifts between views of the larger forest and intricate details, capturing the ecosystem at different scales. The combination of art and technology allows audiences to gain a closer perspective of the natural world. By combining auditory, visual, and scientific observations, it offers a contemporary view of the complexity of old-growth forests.
The exhibition is part of the Foreman Art Gallery’s annual program of contemporary art, which features four to five exhibitions by professional and mid-career artists throughout the year. The gallery also hosts workshops and lectures.
Admission is free, allowing Bishop’s students and members of the greater Sherbrooke community to view contemporary art right on campus. Monologue de la Forêt will remain in the Foreman Art Gallery from now until Dec. 5.
