Jardins suspendus | A new work combining immersive installation and aerial danse

Montreal, August 8, 2022 – The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the National Theatre School of Canada are pleased to join forces to present Jardins suspendus from August 25 to 28 in Place de la Paix in the Quartier des Spectacles. Created by artistic directors and choreographers Claire Jeannot and Geneviève Lauzon, this interdisciplinary work has two components: a daytime immersive installation and a contemporary aerial dance performance in the evening. The work explores human connection and invites us to understand others through dialogue and the poetry of movement.

A tree crafted from clothing rises in the centre of the plaza and invites visitors to stroll through its dangling vines. The colourful and fascinating installation comes to life when people are present: they trigger an audio track of testimonials about encountering others. This ephemeral world is the product of cultural outreach workshops held earlier this summer, where participants discussed the emotions and feelings sparked by human contact. What makes an encounter meaningful to us? How do we communicate with others using nonverbal language? The public is invited to listen as the creators play back the voices of around 40 citizens of various ages and sociocultural backgrounds.

In the evening, at 6 and 7:30 p.m., two free performances will be presented. Characters awaken at the four corners of the plaza. Through the performers’ movements, a communication system emerges and bonds are formed among them in an ordinary yet surprising microcosm. The audience becomes part of the 360-degree work, in which connections are formed by playing with gravity.

Jardins suspendus is the result of a call for proposals issued in January 2022 in collaboration with the Regroupement des Arts de Rue (RAR). The call was aimed at giving creators the chance to develop and present an artistic performance intended for public space. The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the National Theatre School of Canada made a commitment to working with the winning collective on the creation and presentation of its work. The project is the second edition of an annual street arts initiative aimed at developing the discipline and giving it exposure.

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE

Geneviève Lauzon and Claire Jeannot are both graduates of UQAM’s undergraduate dance program. Their careers have combined creation, performance and project management. Their inquisitiveness and desire to share their passion have led them to a wide variety of places and experiences. Geneviève has worked in both contemporary dance and large-scale multidisciplinary performing arts, such as Le Grand Bisou (Juste pour rire) and Montreal’s 375^th anniversary celebrations, where audiences were in close contact with monumental works. For her part, Claire enjoys playing with space and gravity, which has led her to present small-scale works at the Festival des arts de ruelles (FAR), in an orchard, and at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. In her works, body, discovery and performance respond to each other through dance. Since both developed an in-situ approach to dance that focuses on human connection, they decided to bring their worlds together for this very first collaboration. Jardins suspendus is a story of encounters.

ABOUT THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES PARTNERSHIP

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montreal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues. Year round, the district is home to countless festivals and events, and hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design, immersive environments or interactive digital spaces. 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 85 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 benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.

More information: quartierdesspectacles.com

ABOUT THE CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL

A dynamic partner of artistic creativity in Montreal, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes excellence and innovation in the creation, production and presentation of professional artistic endeavours. It encourages openness, discovery and daring at the heart of Montreal’s artistic landscape, thanks to its initiatives. Since 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal has been an influential player in the development of “Montreal, Cultural Metropolis.”

More information: artsmontreal.org/en/

ABOUT THE NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA

As a global leader in theatre training, NTS shares its expertise and resources with a broad and diverse community of Canadians to ensure that the performing arts continue to play an important role in society.   To serve the evolving needs of Canadian theatre, NTS:

• Provides incomparable training in French and English to actors, directors, playwrights, designers and production specialists to prepare them to work in professional theatre;
• Delivers a broad range of community programs in order to make theatre more accessible to all Canadians.

More information: theatretraining.ca

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PHOTOS AND VISUAL ASSETS  

Download online.

Please include a photo caption and credits.

PRESS KIT

Online press kit.

CONTACTS MÉDIA  

Quartier des Spectacles Partnership

Mélanie Mingotaud 
Communications Mingotwo  
melanie@mingo2.ca  
(514) 582-5272   

Conseil des arts de Montréal

Marie-Julie Théoret
Cheffe des communications et de la promotion
marie-julie.theoret@montreal.ca
(514) 280-0537

National Theater School of Canada

info@monumentnational.com
(514) 871-9883

APPENDIX

CREDITS

Artistic directors: Claire Jeannot and Geneviève Lauzon

Choreography, in collaboration with the performers: Marie-Ève Dion, Myriam Foisy, Marie-Pier Gilbert, Mathilde Heuzé, Claire Jeannot, Geneviève Lauzon, Natacha Viau

Scenography (art installation): Le Pictographe (Manon Guiraud and Charlotte Gandin)

Audio installation: Andrew Beaudoin

Wardrobe: Roxanne Bédard

Music: Thomas Floquet (TSF)

Artistic consultant, aerial dance: Mélissa Collelo
Rehearsal director: Lucie Vigneault

Presented by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the National Theatre School.

For complete credits, please see the press kit.