GALLERY 1 - insects of Surinam and damoiseaux

paul Blurs the boundaries between humans, wildlife and technology

An immersive journey through the pan-American canopies inspired by Maria Sibylla Merian’s Insects of Surinam, first published in 1705, this exhibition room showcases the Insects of Surinam series accompanied by Paul's Damoiseaux "birds" (pronounce Dam-wah-zoh), and old French term that refers to the male equivalent of a "damsel," with a wordplay on the word for bird in French, "oiseaux." The soundscape heightens viewers’ awareness of the fragility of species and the urgency to safeguard biodiversity.

Gallery 1 Slideshow - click on the arrows to view the individual artwork

Gallery 1 -viewers listening to the interactive sound piece

See the interactive sound piece presentation video here

Gallery 1 OverView: doorway to the Hall

Overview

Insects of Surinam 23, 2017

Damoiseaux

insects of surinam 26

2017

Insects of surinam 27

Homage to Barberini's Faun, 2017

Insects of surinam 28

2017

insects of surinam 9

2013

insects of surinam 25

2017

Overview - Insects of Surinam 30, 31 and 34, birds

2017, 2019 (RC*)

*Credits and thanks to Rafa Cruz for the pictures marked RC

insects of surinam 30

2017

insects of surinam 31

2017

insects of surinam 34

2019 (RC)

Barrow's goldeneye

2020 (RC)

acadian flycatcher and grasshopper sparrow

2020,2021 (RC)

roseate tern

2020 (RC)

Overview - towards gallery 2

Insects of Surinam 27, 28, 9 and 23

Animation: Insects of Surinam In Vitro, 2017, 2 min, loop (View animation here)

Insects of surinam:

Our world, as it is, is crying out loud to be re-imagined

Exoskeleton is a word made of contradictions, as skeleton refers to a device that holds one together, keeps one standing, and facilitates one’s movement. As such it links the inside with the outside, bare being with one’s being-in-the-world. The exo part signals an exit of sorts, a shedding of a condition, or a potential for that to happen, the potential of a loss. Paul’s work essentially poses the question of existence itself and, especially at this crucial time in the history of the world, no longer can it be a history of mankind, of humankind even. Our world, as it is, is crying out loud to be re-imagined. It is in the RED.

-All About Red, Chantal Pontbriand, 2025

Interactive works: for an immersive experience

Dominique Paul integrates interactive and playful elements to intrigue and engage the viewer and thus increase the impact of her social and environmental message. These interactive works bring the whole Gallery 1 to life by stimulating the viewer's imagination. After watching the animation and hearing the bird sounds, the viewer will bring the still images to life by analogy in his imagination and the whole room will come to life.