Unpacking and Enveloping. Béatrice Balcou activating the fragile, the intimate and the vulnerable

In 'Unpacking and Enveloping' Leonie Persyn examines the work of Béatrice Balcou, a Brussels-based visual artist known for her performative and contemplative approaches to art. Through a detailed exploration of two of Balcou's works, Untitled Ceremony #05 (2015) and Containers (2020), the study delves into her unique method of engaging with fragility, intimacy and vulnerability within the museum context. Containers features industrially manufactured glasses repurposed to house mounted insects known as museophages, collected by entomologist Fabien Fohrer. These insects, typically seen as threats to artworks, are recontextualized by Balcou to challenge our perceptions of them. The article argues that Balcou's practice of enveloping and unpacking objects creates a space for unlearning and re-evaluating habitual perceptions, fostering a deeper understanding of the delicate interplay between art, its preservation and its interaction with viewers. By inviting audiences to engage sensuously and intimately with these overlooked elements, Balcou's work reveals the museum and the art world as complex, fragile ecosystems that thrive on the interconnectedness of all participants. This investigation highlights how Balcou's subtle interventions encourage a re-evaluation of the roles and relationships within the art ecosystem, promoting a shift towards a more inclusive and empathetic engagement with art and its preservation.