News Release

The Biosphère Presents “Water Bearers”
An Art-Nature Exhibit Created By 900 Students

Montréal, QC -- May 1, 2009 -- This coming May 4, Environment Canada's Biosphere will launch an outdoor exhibit named "Water Bearers". This art-nature exhibit will feature thirteen group sculptures made with branches by 900 grade school children as part of an educational activity on water.  A celebratory rally of all the young artists who participated in the "Water Bearers" project will mark the launch of the exhibit.

The project, entitled "Water: Food for thought and source of creation", was designed to raise the students' awareness of the impact of their daily activities on water conservation through a glimpse at the history of the technical, logistical, and environmental water usage and management solutions developed by Montrealers through the ages. Students involved in the project learned about archaeology, history, sciences, and art from an environmental perspective.

Participants visited Pointe-à-Callière, the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, as well as Hydro-Québec's hydroelectric generating station at Beauharnois. Next, they participated in the "On the Water Trail" educational activity at the Biosphere and the creative workshop directed by renowned artist Marc Walter in collaboration with choreographer-dancer Maureen Shea. The students were then invited to create a number of sculptures using branches and to experiment with movements inspired by these creations.

This project, which was carried out over several weeks, is an initiative of the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec as part of the "Soutien à l'école montréalaise" program of the Montreal School Board. Some 900 students from underprivileged areas participated in the program. The exhibit has been set up all around the Biosphère and will be open through the summer.

For further information, please contact:

Environment Canada
Media Relations
(819) 934-8008 or 1-888-908-8008