The internationally renowned Studio Lemercier, co-directed by independent curator, Juliette Bibasse and visual artist and climate activist, Joanie Lemercier, is making its Scottish debut at St Andrews Botanic Gardens as part of the Garden’s ‘Summer Art Nights’.
Over the course of four weekends, Studio Lemercier will be showing new and existing work across different mediums including light installations, a video work and plotter drawings corresponding to the garden’s approach to reframing our perspective on the natural world.
Studio Lemercier explores the intersection of light, art, political ecology and energy. Experimenting with unconventional media such as water mist, build up surfaces, trees and wild plants, their light installations encourage audiences to reflect on the representation of nature through technology and their perception of reality. While Studio Lemercier draw inspiration from the legacy of the light and space movement, they are dedicated to responding to the ecological crisis by developing a different studio practice and low-tech solutions, as well as incorporating environmental activism into their work.
St Andrews Botanic Gardens’ Summer Art Nights will run for four weekends from 19 July to 10 August and merges art and research with a series of installations, screenings, guided tours and in-conversation events. These bring together artists and researchers to discuss the relationship between the ecological crisis and art and/or aesthetics, our fascination with plants, and sustainable practices, amongst others.
Anne Daffertshofer, St Andrews Botanic Gardens Art Curator, said,
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Studio Lemercier as our artists in residence at St Andrews Botanic Gardens this summer. With over 4,000 species of plants, our Garden isn’t just a beautiful space, it’s -also a centre for cutting-edge biodiversity research against a backdrop of the ecological crisis. There are a lot of synergies between Studio Lemercier’s work and our Garden – both reflect on our perception of nature and look to take audiences on a journey of contemplation and a new perspective on the world around us.”
Juliette Bibasse from Studio Mercier added:
“In the past couple of years, we have developed many projects in the comfort of our Brussels’ studio space. Recently, we have made it our priority to work in direct relationship with natural environments, giving ourselves new constraints such as being ‘off the grid’ as a way to tackle energy-related questions. We believe in the strength of art as a way to raise questions and engage in conversation. St Andrews Botanic Gardens is a perfect context for us to confront our ideas and prototypes to reality and an attentive audience. We are very excited to explore these new paths.”
Find out more about St Andrews Botanic Gardens at www.standrewsbotanic.org or on facebook or instagram.
Travel Information:
St Andrews Botanic Garden is located on Canongate and is a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of St Andrews. The easiest route is to follow the signs from the town down Viaduct Walk, which is a shared path for bikes and walkers. The 93 bus route goes past the Garden, to/from St Andrews Bus Station. It takes 5 minutes by bus from the bus station in St Andrews to the Garden, or 13 minutes to walk. The 93 bus is operated by Stagecoach, so for information on times and ticket prices please see their website. The nearest train station for the Garden is Leuchars – buses connecting Leuchars and St Andrews are available every 10 minutes or less.
There is a free car park at the Garden – however please note that this may be busy during special events.
St Andrews Botanic Garden, Canongate, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8RT.