This text is part of the special Museums notebook
Combining arts and ecology, It’s heating up! Cool itthe new temporary exhibition at the Armand-Frappier Health Museum in Laval, explores both the repercussions of climate change on the planet and human health, as well as the solutions, which bring hope.
According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the greatest threat to human health in the 21st century.e century, immediately mentions Christelle Sachot, manager of scientific content and educational programs at the Laval museum. But fortunately, there are thousands of inspiring actions, she says.
It was therefore very fitting that the Museum celebrated its 30 years of existence by dedicating an exhibition to them. But an exhibition under the sign of kindness and commitment. And who better than eco-sociologist and activist Laure Waridel to take on the role of spokesperson. “We wanted to dare this activism to really encourage people to take action,” underlines Christelle Sachot.
Why act? And how to do it? These are the questions underlying respectively the two parts of It’s heating up! Cool it. “We want people to come out of this saying that it is possible to do something to fight climate change, while improving their health, that of other species and that of the planet,” says the manager.
Arts meets science
In order not to overwhelm visitors with “negative emotions that do not encourage action, such as helplessness or despair,” explains M.me Sachot, the first part of It’s heating up! Cool it focuses in particular on art to provoke reflection and wonder.
Four works by Karine Giboulo are in the spotlight, from her exhibition My single storey house. Imagine a refrigerator, an oven, an ironing board and a washer whose meaning is distorted in order to evoke, with supporting figures, serious environmental issues. “There are always strong social messages in his creations. But at the same time it’s fun, a little humorous,” explains Christelle Sachot. It is therefore an ideal approach for the Museum, which attracts a large number of family customers.
The manager’s favorites? The fridge, which houses a polar bear sitting on a melting popsicle, and a grocery cart overflowing with wasted expired food, as well as the front washer, at the foot of which are flooded homes and canoes. affected people. “There is a little boy who holds his cuddly toy as his most precious possession in the canoe, it’s very touching,” confides Christelle Sachot.
If the beauty and originality of the creations soften the harshness of the state of the places that they depict, “the message is there, clear, carried by the works”. To support the creations, panels explain crucial concepts helping to decipher climate change.
Of actions and hope
After presenting the reasons why it is important to fight against climate change, It’s heating up! turns to hope, highlighting the myriad of salutary actions of which human beings are capable. “We show how actions influence the health of the planet and human beings,” argues Christelle Sachot.
A clear example? Active transportation. “We immediately see that taking our bike helps reduce our CO emissions2she says. And since we exercise at the same time, it is beneficial for our cardiovascular health. »
Video capsules present eco-responsible local projects that are rooted in various spheres — mobility, food, outdoors, energy transition, reduction of consumption, etc. — and demonstrate the importance of actions being deployed on a collective scale.
“We chose local initiatives rather than on a global scale to remind people that they are close to them, that we are capable of participating in them,” observes Christelle Sachot. It’s really good to see all these actions going on around us. »
The videos also give the floor to renowned experts, including the regional director of public health for the Montreal region, Dr.D Mylène Drouin, who herself emphasizes the need to act collectively. “It’s very hopeful to see someone who has so much influence have this awareness,” says Christelle Sachot.
Finally, a work by Karine Giboulo, created expressly for It’s heating up! crowns the exhibition by making us dream of the world of tomorrow: a green city promoting community, where nature has regained its rights and where the pace of life is slowed down.
If the exhibition is small, the meaningful messages it conveys are immense.
Until 1er september 2025.
Climate Change Conference
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Dutyrelating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.