Rachel Marks (b. 1986), American artist and dancer, based in Paris, explores with her multidisciplinary practice the intricate relationship between nature and humanity. She uses abandoned books and organic elements, metamorphosing them back to their natural state, to create immersive environments, installations, performances, sculptures, paintings and drawings which delve into themes of how trees thrive together within the forest community. Her work aims to raise public awareness about nature’s complexity and beauty, promoting preservation through immersive and thought-provoking art.

Rachel’s recent project, Symfolia, a monumental installation for the Olympic Cultural Program at the Cité de la Musique in Paris was made for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, supported by Kylian Mbappé. Made of recycled paper, instruments, insects, video and sound the work reveals the history of our humanity, with five rings which link the landscapes and traditions of each continent of the world with a family of musical instruments. These aligned thrones are part of the same tree: the roots, our origins which bring us together, with tree shoots growing from these thrones, a symbol of rebirth, the cycle and metamorphosis: the power of nature and our role in its evolution. Being participatory, the project welcomes and brings together many people to discover the creative process, and to reflect on their place and their relationship with others and with our beautiful planet.