Marguerite Humeau and the power of a speculative story at HAM Helsinki

Currently on view at HAM Helsinki, Torches by Marguerite Humeau transforms the museum’s grand arched hall into an immersive environment where sculpture, sound, and light merge into a unified multisensory experience. Open from November 21st, 2025, through March 15th, 2026, the exhibition marks the artist’s first presentation in Finland and unfolds as an ambitious meditation on evolution, extinction, and imagined futures.

From the outset, visitors enter a carefully constructed world that operates less as a traditional exhibition and more as a living system—one felt as much as it is observed.

Marguerite Humeau: constructing alternative worlds

Marguerite Humeau is known for translating complex scientific and historical research into physical form. For Torches, she reimagines HAM’s vast vaulted hall as an alternative architecture populated by sculptural forms that resonate with sound and light. These works feel animated, as though governed by internal rhythms rather than human control.

While informed by collaborations with scientists and researchers, Humeau’s practice resists explanation. Instead, knowledge is absorbed through experience, allowing ancient histories and speculative futures to coexist within the same space.

A speculative story in operatic form

Structured like an opera, the exhibition unfolds through a series of scenes, each offering a distinct speculative story. One body of work imagines humans evolving into collective beings, synchronized with other life forms. These sculptures vibrate subtly, suggesting communication systems beyond language.

Another sequence reflects on deep time, drawing inspiration from early life on Earth. Abstract forms made from beeswax, alabaster, and hand-blown glass evoke prehistoric organisms, accompanied by soundscapes that suggest rhythms predating humanity. Elsewhere, works speculate on post-human evolution, incorporating living materials that continue to change throughout the exhibition.

Curatorial vision

Curated by Arja Miller, Director of HAM Helsinki, and developed in collaboration with the Arken Museum of Contemporary Art in Denmark, Torches reflects a commitment to experimental, research-driven exhibition making. Supported by the Finnish Heritage Agency, the project positions Humeau’s work as a space for contemplation rather than conclusion—inviting viewers to imagine futures in which humanity is no longer the central protagonist.