Can an exhibition convince people to change their lifestyle to save the planet? The Musée de la Civilization de Québec is pursuing this bet with the presentation of the exhibition For tomorrow.
Conceived by the Barbican in London and first presented in 2022, this exhibition seeks to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change through a positive approach that focuses on the beauty of our planet.
“In the climatic situation in which we find ourselves, all gestures count, even the smallest. We will not settle the fate of the planet, but they spend 600,000 people in the museum every year. If 300,000 people see the exhibition and everyone does their part, things will improve,” says the great head of the Museum of Civilization. Stephen LaRoche.
As evidence, he presents the results of a poll showing that more than 60% of visitors to the exhibition Oh shit! had changed their behavior regarding the impact of faeces on water purification. “It’s nothing,” he said.
Quebec adaptation
Projections, a sculpture commemorating the firing of whistleblower Louis Robert, who denounced the influence of pesticide giants on public policy, models, clothing and a kitchen table are some of the 120 elements of For Tomorrow’s course.
The Musée de la Civilization has added works and objects from here to the artistic installations presented in the Barbican, which form five main themes (biodiversity protection, agriculture and food, consumption, construction, energy/mobility/transport).
It includes Mohawk artist Skawennati’s magnificent work The Three Sisters: Reclaiming Abundance and a model of Quebec’s future streetcar.
Photo Cedric Belanger/Le Journal de Quebec
A model of the Québec Streetcar on display in the For Tomorrow exhibit at the Musée de la Civilization.
“The Quebec adaptation that the museum has made brings strong scholarly elements to the exhibition,” said Luke Kemp, co-curator of the original London exhibition.
Eco-conscious gestures
The directors of the Musée de la Civilization have made a number of environmentally conscious gestures in connection with the presentation of For Tomorrow.
All works from London were transported to Quebec by boat rather than by air. In the space, the various installations are separated by walls made of mycelium, a material solidified from the roots of mushrooms.
Photo Cedric Belanger/Le Journal de Quebec
Walls made of mycelium, an eco-friendly material, separate the areas of the “For Tomorrow” exhibition at the Musée de la Civilization.
“We also recycled a lot of materials from old exhibitions, whereas in the past a lot was thrown away or given away. Today we conserve and recycle,” emphasizes Stéphan La Roche.
- For tomorrow is on view at the Musée de la Civilization until January 7, 2024.