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Musée de la Gaspésie - “Dear Leo”
Interactive Design - Fabrication - Production & Assembly
MASSIVart recently had the pleasure of collaborating with the Musée de la Gaspésie in the conception and production of the temporary exhibition “Dear Leo”. Presented until 2023, it was designed as a travelling exhibition in Gaspésie, just like Leo Lapierre himself.
As our team uncovered the artist-craftsman’s universe, his childlike sensitivity, curiosity and sense of wonderment became infectious and made us want to portray the man and his philosophy as much as his work. It was clear that recycling and the recovery of objects was an integral part of his creative process and we wanted to honour this by giving a second life to tin cans, pieces of wood and other abandoned materials.
To remain true to Lapierre’s process, the furniture in the exhibition came mostly from recycled objects. The materials used for the scenography are given a second life: milk crates from a local producer, old classroom furniture from a nearby school, used pallets and old vintage televisions.
The idea behind the exhibit was to feel as if you were in Lapierre’s garden shed, where everything began, his creative studio where his objects accumulated. The scenography is thus divided into two atmospheres: the shed and the classroom – where Leo shared his creations and inspiration with children.
Lapierre was a magician with an endless imagination. It was important to highlight his humanity and his story through his work in schools with children. To make this possible, our creative team suggested using the thread of children’s letters who Lapierre once met with to articulate the creative ideas behind his work.
The scenography, the graphic elements and the overall design highlight the eccentric universe of Lapierre while offering a clear, playful and immersive environment.
With nearly 100 works exhibited, from sculptures to musical instruments, the exhibition offers a fresh and unconventional approach to discover the history and personality of this popular Gaspesian artist. People of all ages can interact with the various elements of the exhibition from doing an exercise in the classroom to playing the guitars to writing a letter to Lapierre to pay him one last tribute.
It is easy for one to fall back into their childhood with nostalgia and amusement while visiting the exhibition. The viewer is sure to be immersed in a familiar, intimate atmosphere, but also in an era that calls upon the memories of the people of Gaspé.
