Geraldine Laurendeau is a multidisciplinary artist from Montreal (Canada). She has a background in Fine Arts, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Studies. She’s also a trained ethnologist and collaborates with First Nations, museums and research institutions as an independent curator, designer and consultant on projects related to environment, land planning, heritage, culture and biodiversity conservation, food security and health. In her art practice, Geraldine looks at relationships between human and the natural world. Her research and creation projects address environmental issues such as land erosion and water management, using plants in an adaptive and resilient perspective. Inspired by Earthworks, landscape ecology and phytoremediation techniques, she uses scientific data and local knowledge to create site-specific artworks that reflect upon the impact of man on nature and vice versa. She uses plants and natural material to build living and transformative artworks while exploring integrative solutions that would help regenerate landscapes. In her view, art is a revelator and a mediator between our senses and the physical reality.

During her residency, Geraldine looked at how Louisiana’s diverse cultural groups have developed strategies to adapt and deal with the abundance of water in the region. Which solutions have made their living area safer, more resilient to flooding and soil erosion? In the process, Geraldine used drawing and photography to document the biogeography of the place, study topography, water movements, landscape forms and vernacular architecture. Botanical observation, archaeology and local knowledge also shed light on not only the plant’s adaptive strategies but also human techniques (old and new) that regulate and manage water. Geraldine explored solutions while creating water resilient site-specific earthworks that will evolve through time.