On May 21 and 22, 2021, I had the privilege of participating in the conference “Devenir l’œuvre. Pratiques de chosification des corps dans les expositions et les musées” (“Becoming the Work: Practices of Objectifying Bodies in Exhibitions and Museums”) at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. My presentation, titled “Entre la cire et la chair, les photographies des visiteurs de Madame Tussauds et du Musée Grévin” (“Between Wax and Flesh: Photographs of Visitors at Madame Tussauds and the Musée Grévin”), explored the fascinating dynamic between visitors and wax figures that imitate life.
Article’s thumbnail: Still from the presentation video
Presentation Reference:
Entre la cire et la chair, les photographies des visiteurs de Madame Tussauds et du Musée Grévin,
presentation for the conference Devenir l’œuvre. Pratiques de chosification des corps dans les expositions et les musées,
presented at Université du Québec en Outaouais, organized by Mélanie Boucher, Anne Bénichou, Éric Langlois
The Theme of the Presentation
In my presentation, I discussed how wax museums, by recreating historical and contemporary figures in life-size form, play with notions of reality and representation. These unique spaces, where wax meets the living flesh of visitors, offer a window into how we perceive the human and the non-human, the real and the simulacrum.
Reactions and Interactions
The reception of my presentation was very positive, sparking a rich dialogue with other researchers interested in how artistic and museological practices influence our perception of humanity and identity. The discussions emphasized the importance of reflecting on our interaction with hyper-realistic reproductions and what they reveal about our own existence.
Personal and Academic Impact
Participating in this conference organized by Mélanie Boucher, Anne Bénichou, and Éric Langlois was a rewarding experience that not only deepened my passion for the study of museums but also broadened my academic and professional perspectives. This opportunity allowed me to contribute to critical discussions at the intersection of art, philosophy, and museology.
This experience at the Université du Québec en Outaouais enabled me to share my research and gain visibility within the academic community, while deepening my understanding of the complex interactions between artworks, their audiences, and the broader cultural context.