Made possible through the financial support of the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec (CALQ), the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, the Canada Council for the Arts, and other partners, “Marginal Lands” combines traditional art forms with technology to create an installation about our relationship with the natural environment.

“Marginal Lands” takes its name from an economic term applied to land that has little potential for profit from human exploitation. Organized around this theme, Alyson Champ’s art installation illustrates four distinct marginal landscapes found in the Haut-Saint-Laurent region, each representing a different season. A large landscape painting along with several smaller paintings, shadow-box assemblages, and found-object sculptures comprise each of the four environments. Digital sound recordings made at each location provide an added dimension to this work. The combination of visual art with the digitally manipulated sounds of nature will offer a unique immersive experience for the public.

“I wish to use art as a conduit to understand reality,” Champ says. “My goal with this project is to create immersive environments, to wash visitors with sensory information on multiple levels and invite them to transcend the gallery space.” The artist hopes that “Marginal Lands” will encourage people to pause and interact with local undervalued land in a new way. By highlighting the hidden life, variety, and beauty found in these marginal landscapes, she wishes to encourage people to reconsider the way we often value nature only as a function of economics and human utility. “I am trying to share with the public the surprise, curiosity, wonder, and joy I feel when I experience the natural world,” she says.

Alyson Champ, a resident of Saint-Chrysostome, is an artist whose creative output includes painting, drawing, collage, assemblage, and most recently, installation. She studied art at Vanier College, The Saidye Bronfman School of Fine Arts, and Concordia University. Her work has been exhibited throughout the US and Canada. The artist respectfully acknowledges that the land where she lives and works is traditional Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) territory.

To be noted, for March 20 only

The artist will be present for the exhibition opening on March 20, 2022.

Due to the unique immersive nature of this exhibition, a standard vernissage will not be possible. Please note that a limited number of people will be admitted every 15 minutes beginning at 2 p.m.. To reserve a time slot to view the exhibition, please call at 450 264 5411 ext. 238.

Location: Alfred-Langevin Cultural Hall, 10, King Street in Huntingdon (Château building)
Launch: March 20, 2022, from to 2 to 4 p.m.
Exhibition: The exhibition is free and open to the public from March 20 to May 1, 2022, every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. (closed from April 15 to 18). Weekday visits are by reservation.
Information : Nancy Brunelle, Cultural Development Officer, MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, nancy.brunelle@mrchsl.com or 450 264 5411, ext. 238