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FROM AUGUST 30 TO OCTOBER 15 PUBLIC ART TAKES OVER THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES!
Montreal, August 30, 2017 – From today until October 15, Montrealers and visitors are invited to discover a new, participatory public art walk called KM3 (kilomètre cube) a production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, and part of the celebration of Montreal’s 375th anniversary. The general public, families and art aficionados will all enjoy the novel sensory and artistic experience of strolling through the Quartier des Spectacles to see and interact with the works. To extend the experience, the public is also invited to enjoy a series of lively special events accompanying KM3.
KM3 comprises 22 immersive, participatory or contemplative works, most of which were designed specifically for Montreal. Eighteen were created by artists from Quebec, and four by foreign artists. The works will occupy building façades, squares, parks, sidewalks and windows throughout the Quartier des Spectacles, helping people see the city in a new light – surprising, dreamlike, reinvented. The artists involved – more than 30 in all – come from a wide range of disciplines: visual arts, sculpture, video games, interactive design, fashion, dance and architecture. Collectively, they invite us to imagine, experience and see the city differently.
The artists were selected by curators Mélissa Mongiat and Mouna Andraos of Daily tous les jours, in collaboration with Julie Bélisle of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and Pascale Daigle, the director of programming for the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership. View the full list of the artists.
Note that two works on the KM3 route are additions to the city’s permanent public art collection. Paquets de lumière by Gilles Mihalcean and Lux Obscura by Jonathan Villeneuve were both funded by the government of Quebec.
EAT, DANCE AND LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD WITH THE KM3 SPECIAL EVENTS
The Banquet exquis, created by Nicolas Fonseca and Judith Portier, opens KM3 in style tonight in the Place des Festivals, with culinary creations by 8 chefs working from instructions inspired by the surrealist exquisite corpse game.
On September 8, artist Alexandre Castonguay and director François Bernier invite cyclists ages 12 and up to contribute to a collective artwork called Mouvements libres. Thanks to AgitPOV units attached to the bicycles’ spokes, riders can display words as they ride through the streets to Les Jardins Gamelin, where Queen Ka will rap the evening to a close.
(Registration and reservation required. Fee applies.)
375 amateur dancers will put everything they’ve got into turning the Place des Festivals into a giant dance floor from September 15 to 17 with Le Super Méga Continental, created by choreographer Sylvain Émard. After the performance, everyone is invited to join in the fun and dance the night away as POIRIER works the turntables.
Lastly, the public is invited to discover the mysteries of Humanorium, a strange carnival to be held in Les Jardins Gamelin from October 5 to 15. With its tents, trailers, carousel and shooting gallery, Humanorium is reminiscent of 19th and 20th century fairs, except its attractions were designed by contemporary artists. After a spin on the shopping-cart carousel, check out the various spaces and their collections, sculptures, photos and soundscapes, or experience the terrifying Musée de la mort (museum of death).
MANY WAYS TO DISCOVER KM3: GUIDED TOURS AND WORKSHOPS
There are several guided tour options, both walking and cycling, for experiencing KM3 and learning more about the artists and the making of their works. The tours are presented in collaboration with Fitz & Follwell.
(Registration and reservation required. Fee applies.)
For families, KM3 offers a participatory, self-guided walk for kids and curious adults. Children ages 3 to 12 can fill in a special map with stickers as they progress from work to work. Kids ages 5 to 13 are also welcome to attend free creative workshops inspired by the KM3 works. Workshops are presented in collaboration with Chromatic. Most will be held in Les Jardins Gamelin. (Registration and reservations. Free activities.)
For a more in-depth look at KM3, Les éditions Atelier 10 has produced a magazine including interviews with the artists and exclusive images of the works in progress. Available free starting September 12 from the info-booth on Sainte-Catherine Street, in front of the Musée d’art contemporain, as well as digitally via the KM3 website. The publication is also available at several cultural venues, educational institutions, stores, cafés and restaurants in Montreal.
The public is also invited to download the new Quartier des Spectacles mobile app to help find the works of KM3 using a geolocation map. Available for download from the App Store and Google Play.
From August 30 to October 15, everyone is invited to participate in the KM3 public art walk and its accompanying events. Explore, interact, have fun, and see the city differently!
CITATIONS
“On the occasion of 375th anniversary of our metropolis, the government of Quebec is pleased to give Montrealers, and all Quebecers, a legacy consisting of several works of public art that will be added to the already impressive collection of cultural treasures accessible to anyone exploring Montreal. We are proud to make this contribution to showcasing the talent of our artists for the benefit of the entire community,” said Luc Fortin, minister of Culture and Communications and minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language.
“In this year of celebrations, the government of Quebec is pleased to give Montrealers this public art walk, which transforms the Quartier des Spectacles into a true open-air museum. By displaying these works in the heart of the city, Montreal is once again proudly demonstrating its creativity and innovation,” said Martin Coiteux, minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, minister of Public Security and minister responsible for the Montreal region.
“This very first edition of KM3 is a testament not only to our city’s incredible openness to the world, it also closely reflects some of our administration’s unifying values: living together, sharing our cultural wealth, expressing and respecting diversity, and the democratization of public art. Through this unprecedented artistic experience, Montreal is showing once again that it fully deserves its status as a cultural metropolis and UNESCO City of Design,” said Denis Coderre, mayor of Montreal.
“The KM3 public art event is a great opportunity to experience urban space differently. Through the public spaces of the Quartier des Spectacles, Montrealers and visitors will be able to discover original artworks and have an astonishing artistic experience,” said Alain Gignac, General Manager of the Society for the Celebration of Montreal’s 375th Anniversary.
“Since its inception, the Quartier des Spectacles has been fertile creative ground for temporary public art. Today, the opening of KM3 demonstrates that the Quartier des Spectacles is now a fully mature generator of public-art experiences. This high-quality collection of works delivers a powerful, distinctive experience for visitors and positions the Quartier des Spectacles as an essential destination both for tourists and Montrealers,” said Jacques Primeau, chair of the board of directors, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.
“KM3 is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with the city through art, and to find renewed meaning in urban life. We are delighted that this major autumn event has resonated so strongly with the artists and the many partners who have joined us in transforming the Quartier des Spectacles into a place for creativity and discovery,” said Pascale Daigle, director of programming, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.
“Public art has the power to improve the quality of city life, because it reinvents the everyday, encourages sociability, helps us reconnect with our heritage and brings us closer to nature. We imagined this public art walk in collaboration with the Partnership, with the aim of inspiring the public to embrace it and take pleasure in seeing the city in a new light,” said KM3 curators Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat, of Daily tous les jours.
ABOUT KM3
KM3 (kilomètre cube) opens new perspectives on the city through today’s most innovative public art. From the Quartier des Spectacles’ iconic squares to some of its most unusual places, this art walk features more than 20 immersive, participatory and contemplative public artworks that renew our vision of the urban fabric and the people we share it with. KM3 is an initiative of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and is one of the government of Quebec’s gifts to Montreal on the occasion of its 375th 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 km3artpublic.com.
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 of the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Occupation du territoire.
For more information, visit quartierdesspectacles.com.
About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the celebrations and socioeconomic contributions that will mark Montréal’s 375th anniversary in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for local forces in carrying out its mandate: to mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage public funds, develop quality programming and ensure the visibility of the celebrations.
The Society benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal, the Québec government, the Canada government and private funding from 12 Great Montrealers. For more information, see 375mtl.com
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To learn more about the contribution of the Québec government to Montréal’s 375th Anniversary celebrations, click here.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Marie Lamoureux | marie.lamoureux@quartierdesspectacles.com |
Mélanie Mingotaud | melanie@mingo2.ca |
Society for the Celebration of Montreal’s 375th Anniversary
Isabelle Pelletier | ipelletier@375mtl.com |
