CUAG Centretown / Mélanie Myers: Humidité Relative Humidity

May 25, 2026 - April 30, 2027

too much humidity is destructive ... yet too little humidity leads to cracked woodwork, dry skin, throats and eyes

Rendered in dense, directional lines of coloured pencil, Humidité Relative Humidity presents a forest landscape that might have existed here before the City of Ottawa as we know it today. A decorative circular window descends between the large wooden doors, hovering in the space between us and a moody sky with scudding clouds. The window’s curve and geometric tracery echo the gothic half-circle window of Dominion-Chalmers’ eastern façade, directly above the foyer in which we stand. The artist has drawn pearls and rivulets of condensation running down the glass against the warm glow of the Dominion-Chalmers inner sanctuary.

As the title suggests, Myers’ mural explores the natural atmosphere and the fluctuating moisture it holds. Buildings, with their walls, windows and modern HVAC systems, protect against exterior elements: too much humidity is destructive, leading to rot and mould, yet too little humidity leads to cracked woodwork, dry skin, throats and eyes. Controlling relative humidity, or RH is a critical aspect of preserving historic buildings, artifacts and artworks.

The forest scene that greets visitors arriving from Centretown’s busy streets reminds us of the ecosystem that pre-existed this heritage building. As we pass through the doors to the sanctuary and the concerts and other events held there, we are invited to imagine the atmosphere of the forest from a time before.

CUAG thanks Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre and the Carleton University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Heather Anderson and Kathryn Desplanque

Carleton University Art Gallery and Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre thank BMO for its generous support of CUAG Centretown