Commission of a permanent work for the Geological Survey of Canada, Quebec Division.

Paper documents from the archive weeding of the Geological Survey of Canada, glass petri dishes, wood, India ink (lampblack), felt tip permanent marker, water, sun, water-soluble liquid adhesive, acrylic varnish, polyurethane adhesive, galvanized metal fixings.
Wall surface : 120 X 500 X 7 cm.

The Geological Survey employees were invited to participate in a collaborative creative workshop, in which we used paper salvaged from their workplace (office paper, archives, brochures, reports, and publications). In the workshop, we made “paper rocks,” experimenting with techniques that physically and symbolically reproduce the sedimentation process. Using woodworking tools, I cut cross-sectional slices of the paper, like rock slices, then placed them in petri dishes, highlighting their value and ensuring their conservation. In addition to providing a scientific reference, the vitrified finish adds to the visual experience of the work. Installed side by side, the petri dishes form a collection that evokes a rock mass and a new geological landscape. Petrified in this manner, the paper documents archive memories of the text printed on them and traces of the creative making of the Geological Survey of Canada employees.