Cassandra Bird Paris, supported by Zimmermann, presents 'Once Were Forests,' an immersive solo exhibition by Australian artist Janet Laurence. The show features a major installation alongside new sculptures, paintings, and photographs that explore ice, forest, and water as carriers of time, memory, and life. Soundscapes from Australian forests and birdsong deepen the sensory experience, inviting visitors into a contemplative space where ancient ecologies, present nature, and possible futures converge.
The exhibition matters because it bridges art and ecology at a moment of heightened climate awareness. Laurence, an internationally acclaimed artist, draws on Antarctica's deep past as part of Gondwana to reflect on loss, endurance, and future possibilities. Her work has been featured in major global events like the Venice Biennale of Architecture and the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, positioning this show within a broader conversation about the Anthropocene and the interdependence of natural systems.