The Geneva Natural History Museum celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2020. The exhibition “Trésors” traces the history of what was originally the “Musée académique de Genève” with 200 objects from their collection. The animated film that I had the honour of directing after winning a call for projects presents the work of the museum’s scientists in a dreamlike and offbeat way.

Scientists in the spotlight…

The project allowed me to discover the scientific part of a museum. Contrary to appearances, popularisation and exhibitions are only the tip of the iceberg of the work done at the Museum of Geneva. In addition to being the largest museum in Switzerland, it is a truly renowned scientific institution that also carries out fundamental research and houses very large collections of zoology, palaeontology and mineralogy.

…for a film that tells the story of their work in a dreamlike way

With the help of journalist Stéphane Jeanrenaud, I set out to discover the Museum’s scientists. Their interviews serve as the basis for the animated film, which combines a childlike, sometimes offbeat style with the visual integration of collection items (fossils, notebooks, DNA sequencing, etc.). Musician Gauthier Teuscher composed the film’s magnificent soundtrack, in 5.1 surround, giving depth to this audiovisual installation on two screens.

The film

The film and exhibition “Treasures, 200 years of the Geneva Natural History Museum” can be seen from 25 September 2020 to 26 June 2022 at the Geneva Natural History Museum. All information here.