The KM3 public art walk will feature four groups of foreign artists

Montreal, May 11, 2017 – Four groups of foreign artists will be part of KM ³, the large-scale public art walk to be presented by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership from August 30 to October 15 this year throughout the entire Quartier, in Montreal.

The artists in question are the Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) collective from the United Kingdom, the OPAVIVARÁ!, collective from Brazil, THE CONSTITUTE collective from Germany, and French artists Oscar Barda and Lebleu Denastas. All will be presenting new original works during the event. Like the pieces to be presented by 30 artists from Quebec during KM³, their creations will inspire viewers to see the city in a new light, and to discover and experience a wide range of artistic practices and media in public spaces.

With the international component of KM³, Montrealers and visitors will have the opportunity to discover urban works that make use of interactive media (THE CONSTITUTE), virtual reality (MLF), relational art (OPAVIVARÁ!) and games (Oscar Barda) – some of the world’s most interesting active artists.

KM³ is made possible by the participation of numerous partners who have agreed to host works or contribute to the production of artworks and installations for KM³. The project is a gift of the government of Quebec on the occasion of Montreal’s 375^th anniversary.

In addition, the British Council Canada, an organization dedicated to improving cultural relations and educational opportunities, is making a gift to Montreal on behalf of the United Kingdom: the first virtual reality experience presented in a public space in the Quartier des Spectacles. A Colossal Wave is a project developed by the British collective Marshmallow Laser Feast in collaboration with leading Quebec artists in digital and visual arts: the Montreal-based studios Dpt Studio, James Paterson/Presstube, Headspace Studio, working with Pearl Engineering, of Hull, England

“The Canadian and British artists inspire one another, and understand the extent to which their work and ideas can progress through collaboration,” said Nick Baker, Consul General of the United Kingdom in Montreal, “Marshmallow Laser Feast’s association with the Montreal-based artists is happening at an apt point in their career, and will create favourable conditions for them to explore innovative avenues and new technologies.”

“Our government is delighted with the collaboration the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership has facilitated among artists, both at home and abroad. Unique cultural experiences take place in the heart of the city, for the benefit of visitors, the public and our artists. It is our pleasure to contribute to building stronger relations among the cities and organizations behind public art events, and we hope other projects like KM³ will be organized in the future,” said M. Luc Fortin, Quebec’s minister of Culture and Communications.

“The government of Quebec is proud to support this large-scale open-air exhibition, which will make the Quartier des Spectacles even livelier, and be a major attraction for Montrealers, other Quebecers, and tourists visiting our city. The partnerships resulting from this project testify to the enthusiasm both local and visiting artists have for celebrating Montreal,” said Martin Coiteux, Quebec’s minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, minister of Public Security, and minister responsible for the Montreal region.

“It is a joy and an honour for Montreal to present the work of these internationally acclaimed artists. I want to thank the British Council for this tribute, which helps promote our city and its artists. KM³ speaks to our city’s openness to the world and will show once again that Montreal is worthy of its status as a cultural metropolis and UNESCO City of Design,” said M. Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal.

“Marshmallow Laser Feast will have the opportunity to work closely with Montreal artists in an environment known for promoting digital innovation and for inspiring avant-garde artists,” added Mme Mariya Afzal, Director of the British Council Canada. “These two artistic forces will prosper by learning from one another and expanding each other’s creative horizons.”

“The Partnership is honoured by the trust and generosity of the British Council Canada and the Goethe-Institut, and is very pleased that they have chosen KM³ as a showcase for their artists. It is very exciting that foreign artists will be showing off their creativity in the public spaces of the Quartier des Spectacles. This will spark encounters between local and foreign artists, and enrich the work of each one. It will also allow Montrealers and visitors to have a wide variety of artistic experiences in our public spaces,” said Pascale Daigle, Director of Programming for the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.

Another major partner is joining the KM³ project. The Goethe-Institutinvited the prestigious German collective THE CONSTITUTE to present a work in the Goethe-Institut’s showcase on Saint-Laurent Blvd. The work will invite viewers to discover an iconic Berlin landmark at different times of day through a 360° interactive video. Katja Melzer, Director of the Goethe-Institut Montreal explains: “We invited THE CONSTITUTE to create a new interactive work linking Montreal and Berlin, two exceptionally creative cities, because we believe the collective’s innovative experience and approach to new technologies, grounded in curiosity, will resonate with Montrealers.”

The concepts for the works by both local and international artists, and the rest of the activities related to KM³, will be announced in early August.

Biographies of the foreign artists participating in KM³ can be found here

The complete list of KM³ artists, with biographies can be found here


^{Front left toward the back : Pavitra Wickramasinghe, Marie-Andrée Houde, Jean-Philippe Thibault, Jean-François Gauthier, James Paterson, Mark Latimer, Nicolas S. Roy (Dpt.), Robin McNicholas (MLF), Patrick Bérubé. Centre of the photo : Félix Dagenais}

ABOUT KM³

KM³ (kilomètre cube) is a new public art experience centered on an art walk with more than 20 temporary works and installations, as well as several permanent works, placed throughout the Quartier des Spectacles. The event will feature contributions from the visual arts, digital art, design and architecture. The works will be placed on building walls, in public spaces and in several unconventional sites in the Quartier. Whether participatory, immersive, playful, digital or contemplative, these pieces, created specifically for KM³, will encourage Montrealers and visitors to see the city in a new light. Melissa Mongiat and Mouna Andraos of Daily tous les jours are the curators of this inaugural edition.

KM³ is an initiative of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, and one of the Quebec government’s gifts to Montreal on the occasion of its 375^th anniversary. The event is made possible by the financial support of, among others, the government of Quebec and the Ville de Montréal, within the framework of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal.

For more information, visit quartierdesspectacles.com/km3.

ABOUT THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE PARTNERSHIP

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montreal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues. The district is the year-round host to countless festivals and events, many of which include free outdoor shows and activities. The Quartier hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design, immersive environments or interactive digital spaces. Year round, the Quartier presents artistic video projections on several building façades. The Quartier des Spectacles is a showcase for new multimedia technology, making Montreal a global leader in the urban exhibition of digital content.

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 60 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination, and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership is supported by the Ville de Montréal and the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine du ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Occupation du territoire.

For more information, visit quartierdesspectacles.com.

For more information about the government of Quebec contribution to Montreal’s 375^th anniversary, click here.

Photo

Photos of the artists and curators : we.tl/NVoB9xhJAd

Photo credit : Jocelyn Michel - Consulat

Media contact

Marie Lamoureux | marie.lamoureux@quartierdesspectacles.com | 514 923-6772