The talk delves into the core of Matière survivante: the melancholy of catastrophe, the epidermis as a surface of memory, and hope and rebirth. Compte-Mergier frames melancholy not as stasis but as a threshold where matter holds both wounds and possibilities—scar, regeneration, change. Within this framework, hope becomes a concrete practice, a form that is made and unmade in real time.
The live demonstration unveils the steps of her silicone-based process:
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preparing mixtures and additives;
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studies on artificial skin and textures;
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casting, glazing, curing times;
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surface interventions (cuts, grafts, suturing);
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display devices and spatial relation.
An interactive segment follows: interested attendees will be able to try selected, simple steps under the artist’s guidance, to understand how matter builds “skins” that breathe, scar, and transform.
The session is intended for curators, artists, students, and audiences interested in materiality, installation, and process-driven practices.
Duration: 60–75 minutes talk + 30 minutes demo and Q&A.
