Voir la Forêt Workshop exhibition with Beaux-Arts de Paris.

“Listen to the forest as it grows, rather than to the tree as it falls”, wrote the German philosopher Friedrich Hegel. Two centuries later, it’s clear that human beings have gradually distanced themselves from nature, losing both their connection with it and the knowledge they once had of it. At a time when the forests of the Ile-de-France region, under pressure from climate change and multiple forms of pollution, are more endangered than ever, it is imperative that we rethink the link that unites us with them, in order to better preserve them. With its rich biology, diverse landscapes and history deeply rooted in France’s artistic heritage, the Forest of Fontainebleau is a prime exploration ground for artists seeking inspiration and connection with the living world.

The painters of the Barbizon school were the first in history to obtain nature protection measures in the name of a common heritage to be preserved: these were the artistic reserves that saw the light of day in the Fontainebleau forest in 1853. In keeping with this history, and at a time when 50% of trees are already threatened by the consequences of climate change, COAL has invited students from the Beaux-Arts de Paris to immerse themselves in the forest of Fontainebleau for the Nuits des Forêts.

Over the course of a week, some twenty students in all media immerse themselves in this unique environment, to interrogate modes of representation and perception of the forest today, from the point of view of both ecosystem and landscape; partager les modalités d’une représentation sensible de la nature; experiment with the creation of works in natural and forest spaces; reet a network of experts to increase their knowledge of the forest and experience the challenges of transmission, sharing and even co-creation with the general public.

At the end of the workshop, the young artists will share their vision of the forest at an exhibition of their work in the wooded grounds of the Château de Fontainebleau on June 21.

A one-day opportunity to interact with the public on issues of perception and representation of the forest of Fontainebleau, the diversity of its inhabitants and the changes affecting it.

See the forest
Beaux-Arts de Paris student exhibition
Château de Fontainebleau Park
Saturday June 21st, from 12pm to 8pm.

+ More info on the Nuits des forêts website

Reservation HERE

@crédit image Romain Bernini, Him, 2021