Bishop’s art gallery unveils “Celestial Mechanics” exhibition aimed at engaging children in art
April 26 marks the opening of Bishop’s University’s Foreman Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, “Celestial Mechanics,” which will run until July 13. Curated by VOX, Centre de l’image Contemporaine, the exhibit features the work of renowned Quebec artist Diane Landry, known for her kinetic sculptures and interactive installations. The opening reception will run from 5 to 7 p.m.
“Celestial Mechanics” is designed specifically for children, offering a unique blend of contemporary art with philosophical and ecological themes centered around the concept of time, according to the Foreman Gallery’s website.
Landry uses everyday and repurposed materials, such as bicycle wheel rims, plastic bags, and water bottles, transforming them into dynamic works that evoke questions about time’s passage and its implications.
The exhibition employs movement, light, sound, and video to bring these simple objects to life, inviting young viewers to engage in a sensory exploration of how human
activities impact the world on various time scales—from the immediate to the eternal.
Landry’s works in “Celestial Mechanics” aim to spark curiosity and philosophical inquiry among children, encouraging them to consider how quickly or slowly time passes and how their choices can leave long-term imprints on the environment.
“The installation was inspired by youth,” Landry said in an interview with the Record April 24. “You know children are very intelligent,” she added. She thinks children will
see things in her artwork that even she would not expect.
The pieces she will present resemble clocks, she said, but they do not tell the time. Viewers will have the time to watch and “see that something is going on.” Each exhibit will have its own unique lighting that forms a part of the experience. “It will create a special atmosphere,” she said.
This is the first time Landry has presented her work at the Foreman Gallery; she has had other installations recently in Montreal. She thanked everyone involved and welcomed people to come and see what she has put together.