Description
Lieu de contemplation comprises two land art sculptures and a performance: a couch made of soil, planted with grass and flax and a human-shaped indentation in the ground planted with flax, flowers and ground cover plants.
For the performance, Reading to the Dead a ball of linen paper thread with tabs of all of the names of people inscribed on the gravestones in the adjacent graveyard was prepared prior to the performance. During the performance, Karen unraveled the ball calling out the names of people buried in the graveyard and walked towards the second sculpture on the church grounds of Deschambault. To end the performance, she stretched out on the ground in the sculpture, holding the remainder of the ball in her hands.
Statement
Lieux de contemplation proposes two sites for the viewer to consider: a couch to contemplate the horizon and a hollowed grave-like form in the ground to contemplate the sky and the temporal nature of life.
At a time when the world’s population is becoming largely urban, maintaining a connection to the natural world becomes increasingly difficult. This work offers spaces for the human body to be in physical contact with the earth in a garden setting that encourages visitors to experience a sense of being in and belonging to this world.
The theme for the Biennale du lin is liens or LIeNs – a play on the French words linen and links or connections.
Karen Trask, 2024