The Insectarium seeks to inspire artists who, in turn, will share with the public their discoveries, enthusiasm, and unique perspectives on the insect world. Each year, Celebrating entomophilia aims to spark a desire to protect this fascinating biodiversity, essential to the balance of nature.
Since reopening, the new museum has supported artists from a range of disciplines in bringing their creative projects to life. These events have given rise to works in visual art, gastronomy, music, and dance.
The creations are presented in various Montreal neighborhoods to meet audiences where they are—within their own cultural spaces and communities.
2025: Spotlight on interdisciplinary art
This year, three artists are taking part in six-month creative residencies, including two in collaboration with the Conseil des arts de Montréal. Their projects will explore entomofauna from a wide range of perspectives:
Stay tuned for details on where and when these works will be presented starting this fall.
Caroline Hayeur turns her lens on the nighttime activities of insects and gathers insights from scientists to create a project blending poetry and documentary: Que font les insectes noctivagues? [What do noctivagant insects do?]
Léa Boudreau stages a multitude of electronic creatures interacting with one another and with their environment. Her kinetic and sound installation, Essaim [Swarm], is inspired by concepts of swarm intelligence and emergence.
Laurence Petit works within the cracks of Pointe-aux-Trembles’ sidewalks to reveal the subtleties of insect life through playful, poetic mosaics: Les insectes et la fée [The insects and the fairy].
Stories of entomophilia
Each artwork created as part of Celebrating entomophilia is the subject of a short documentary, capturing the artist’s creative process and how their perspective on insects evolves over time. You’re invited to dive—or dive back—into the creative worlds of Leon Louder, Frédéric Saia, Architecturama, Collectif Escargo, Éliane Jacques, and Claudia Chan Tak.
What is entomophilia?
In the context of the new Insectarium—shaped by the principles of biophilia—we’re giving new meaning to the term entomophilia: a love for, respect for, and appreciation of insects.