Every fable begins with a word. Sometimes that word becomes a creature.
This autumn, DeNode Foundation presents Humanimality, a major solo exhibition by French artist Monsieur Térez, bringing together paintings, sculptures, textile works, installations and participatory experiences.
At the heart of the exhibition lies the Fabulisterie: an imaginary place where stories are invented before they are told, where language becomes matter, and where imagination transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Monsieur Térez has spent more than twenty years creating a joyful and deeply human artistic practice. Through colourful hybrid beings, playful humour and poetic absurdity, he invites visitors of all ages to rediscover the pleasure of looking, imagining and telling stories together.
The inhabitants of Humanimality are the Humanimals: tender, eccentric creatures suspended somewhere between humans and animals. Each one is accompanied by its own miniature fable, inviting visitors to invent meanings rather than simply receive them.
Language is at the heart of the exhibition. Words are twisted, reinvented and transformed through puns, invented expressions, multilingual dialogues and playful misunderstandings. Throughout the exhibition, visitors are invited to experiment with language in French, Dutch and English, creating their own stories and discovering how every language offers a different way of imagining the world.
More than an exhibition, Humanimality is a living space for participation. Families, schools and visitors are invited to explore the Great Book of Fables, contribute to collaborative language games, discover the Humanimal Treasure Hunt, and take part in workshops where new creatures and new stories continue to emerge.
Here, words refuse to stay in dictionaries. They become characters. They become conversations. They become fables.
Welcome to Humanimality.