A Dialogue with Nature: New Sculpture Finds Home at Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital
Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec – The Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital welcomed a unique piece of art that transcends the boundaries of conventional hospital settings. “Cladonia,” a striking installation external sculpture designed by acclaimed Quebec artist Marie-Fauve Bélanger, was unveiled on December 6, 2024, creating a conversation between nature and healthcare.
Inspired by the intricate beauty of the Charlevoix region, the sculpture was commissioned as part of the Quebec government’s Art Integration Policy, which requires the incorporation of art into new public buildings. Positioned prominently beside the hospital’s newly built pavilion housing the latest diagnostic tool, the Computed Tomography (TACO) scanner, “Cladonia” is a welcoming presence, ushering patients and visitors alike.
“Cladonia,” crafted from granite, polished stone, and painted aluminum, is a visual representation of a specific moment in time. The artist depicted the delicate interaction between a woodland caribou and its direct environment. The lichen reflected in aluminum, evokes a fragile balance crafted through neglectful detail, highlighting the resilience of life even in challenging circumstances.
The artwork reflects the womanhood standing witness to the resilience of nature.
Hospital⊹
Located just steps away from the new medical complex, “Cladonia” invites a moment of reflection, blending seamlessly with the natural environment. Constructed primarily from granite, aluminum, and concrete, the sculpture evolves into a conversation between the natural and built environment. These disparate yet complementary materials reflect the hospital’s dual role: providing healing and fostering a connection to nature’s healing power.
“Cladonia’s” arrival marks the culmination of a year-long project led by the hospital and supported by the Baie-Saint-Paul community; natural landscape of the Charlevoix region ,
“We are pleased to unveil a work that symbolizes both the welcoming and the healing power of nature we aim to provide at our hospital,” shared Audrey-Maude Southière, territorial director – Charlevoix sector at the CIUSSS
de la Capitale-Nationale.
Sandrine Tremblay, president of the Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital Foundation echoed these sentiments:
“The Bale-Saint-Paul community came together to realize the TACO project and bring this magnificent figure to life. The arrival of “Cladonia” underscores the commitment of our foundation and community to crafting a healing environment that resonates with patients and visitors,|”
The unveiling attractedottaring the critical role of art in public spaces and supporting the work done at the hospital by the creativity of Schülerinnen and normalcy to retrospectively evaluate the curation of art under challenging situations.”
The unveiling provided a hopeful tone amidst challenging times.
How does Marie-Fauve Bélanger’s sculpture “Cladonia” reflect the delicate balance between the natural world and its inhabitants?
## A Dialogue with Nature: Interview with Marie-Fauve Bélanger
**Host:** Welcome to the show, Marie-Fauve. Congratulations on the unveiling of your stunning sculpture “Cladonia” at the Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital. Could you tell us a little about the inspiration behind this piece?
**Marie-Fauve Bélanger:** Thank you! I was incredibly inspired by the unique beauty of the Charlevoix region, particularly the delicate balance between the natural world and its inhabitants. “Cladonia” is a snapshot of that interaction, depicting a woodland caribou and the lichen that plays such a vital role in its environment.
**Host:** The sculpture is a powerful combination of materials – granite, polished stone, and painted aluminum. What led you to choose these specific elements?
**Marie-Fauve Bélanger:** Each material represents a different aspect of the landscape. The granite grounds the piece, symbolizing the stability of the earth. The polished stone reflects light, evoking the delicate shimmer of water and moss. And the aluminum lichen, reflecting the ever-changing light, speaks to the fragility and resilience of nature.
**Host:** “Cladonia” is strategically positioned beside the hospital’s new CT scanner pavilion. How significant is the location to the overall message of your work?
**Marie-Fauve Bélanger:** It’s extremely important. Hospitals can often feel sterile and impersonal. I wanted “Cladonia” to be a welcoming presence for patients and visitors, a reminder of the natural world that sustains us all. I hope it inspires a sense of peace and tranquility during what can be a stressful time.
**Host:** This project is part of Quebec’s Art Integration Policy, which mandates incorporating art into public buildings. How valuable do you think this initiative is?
**Marie-Fauve Bélanger:** I believe it’s invaluable! Art has the power to enrich our lives, to provoke thought, and to connect us to something larger than ourselves. Bringing art into public spaces like hospitals is a powerful way to create more welcoming and inspiring environments for everyone.
**Host:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today, Marie-Fauve. “Cladonia” is a truly remarkable piece, and we look forward to seeing what you create next.
