La Traversee in Ste Nicolas de Caen Church

I travelled to Caen France to participate in a residency at Le Labo des arts. A final exhibition Le Traversee took place in July 2023 at the Saint Nicolas de Caen church under the artistic co-direction of the visual artist Sophie Moraine.

“I laid out the panels on the floor – reaching for an existing stain glass – The green mottled panels are reflected in the panels on the floor. At different times of the day, the light lit sections of the photographs, or reflected the lights of the stained glass windows on the photographic panels

One strip up the center indicated photos on which visitors have embedded their answers about life, death and dreams On either side of this central path, a somewhat scattered path of images were available for visitors to peruse and choose from.

Each participant chose a color of pen – it could reveal or totally hide their answers, or allow tantalizing glimpses of names of places. This was not about showing specific answers, but rather about embedding the issues of place onto panels already hinting at specific sites in the ground either in Saskatchewan or the nearby cemetery. All images were taken from above, as if searching the ground to ascertain what might be revealed or hidden.

The first question was deceptively easy – important to begin on a friendly note. With the first answer, each figured out the ease of writing on the paper with the special makers. The second question – In what place would you like to die? En quelle endroit qu’es’ que vous le plus mourir? Immediately shifted the tone. As did latter questions What is the connection to the site? All the photos representing Cean and hence France were actually taken in the ancient crumbling but verdant cemetery adjoining L’Eglise St Nicolas. No longer is use for active burials, it is still a busy location for both domestic and wild animals, winding trailing vines hiding the graves that peek out, at odd angles and they lean and sink into the ground. Suitable images for questions about elusive place – for questions of death and dreams.”