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Art Marathon: Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2014, Toronto [Slide Show]

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Tor Lukasik-Foss (Hamilton,Canada), Dress Rehearsal, 2014. [Exhibition: PERFORMANCE ANXIETY curated by Heather Pesanti. ©Cécilia Bracmort

Shasti O’leary-Soudant (Baffalo, USA), Halflife, 2014. [Exhibition: PERFORMANCE ANXIETY curated by Heather Pesanti] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Labspace Studio ( John Loerchner & Laura Mendes, Toronto, Canada) Between Doors, 2014 [Exhibition: BEFORE THE DAY BREAK curated by Magda Gonzalez-Mora] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Bruno Billio (Toronto, Canada), Bright Bundle, 2014 [Exhibition: BEFORE THE DAY BREAK curated by Magda Gonzalez-Mora] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Maximo Gonzalez (Mexico city, Mexico), Walk among Worlds, 2014 [Exhibition: BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THE POSSIBILITY OF EVERYTHING curated by Dominique Fontaine] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Urban Vision/Nathan Whitford (Toronto, Canada), Shy lights, 2014 [Exhibition: BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THE POSSIBILITY OF EVERYTHING curated by Dominique Fontaine] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Urban Vision/Nathan Whitford (Toronto, Canada), Shy lights, 2014 [Exhibition: BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THE POSSIBILITY OF EVERYTHING curated by Dominique Fontaine] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Yvette Mattern (NY/Berlin), Global Rainbow, 2009-2014 [Exhibition: BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THE POSSIBILITY OF EVERYTHING curated by Dominique Fontaine] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Glenda Leon (Havana, Cuba), Silence Rise, 2012 [Exhibition: BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THE POSSIBILITY OF EVERYTHING curated by Dominique Fontaine] ©Cécilia Bracmort

Derek Liddington (Toronto, Canada), The Sun will always rise and fall from east to west, 2014. [Exhibition: THE NIGHT CIRCUS, curated by Denise Markonish] ©Cécilia Bracmort

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All photos by Cécilia Bracmort.

Read the interview with Dominique Fontaine, one of the four guest curators of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto 2014.

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In conversation with Dominique Fontaine, guest curator for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto 2014

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Yvette Mattern, Global Rainbow, 2009-2014 | Courtesy the artist and Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2014

Dominique Fontaine is an independent curator based in Montreal, and amongst the four guest curators (Fontaine, Denise Markonish, Magda Gonzalez-Mora and Heather Pesanti) organizing this year’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche in Toronto, kicking off at sunset this 4th October. Fontaine discusses her experience with M-KOS.

MKOS: How did you get involved with this year’s event?

Dominique Fontaine [DF]: A couple of years ago, I was invited to submit a proposal for Nuit Blanche. So, I submitted my proposal to the committee in Toronto who reviewed it and luckily it was accepted for this year’s event. That was a year and a half ago, and since then I’ve been working on the exhibition.

MKOS: Does Nuit Blanche have an overall theme? How did you fit your own curatorial project into this?

DF: Nuit Blanche is simply a celebration of contemporary art. Each curator proposed a project related to the specificity of Nuit Blanche, a 12 hour, overnight event attracting a massive number of Torontonians and outside visitors. My part of Nuit Blanche is entitled “Between the earth and sky, the possibility of everything” but it is not constructed like a traditional thematic exhibition. It’s rather a framework that creates a context for the audience to experience art. Continue reading “In conversation with Dominique Fontaine, guest curator for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto 2014”

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Art Marathon: “Labyrinth” Art Souterrain 2013 [Slide show]

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Elise Victoria Louise Windsor, Vision décalée / Double (over/up), 2013.

Sara Graham, StreetFinder, 2013

Sara Graham, StreetFinder, 2013 (detail)

Julia Mariscal, Le pendule / The Pendulum

Ryan Rivadeneyra, Livin' La Vida Loca, 2013

Marla Jacarilla, Les bifurcation électives / Elective Forks, 2013

Romain Lamy, Quatre Paysages / Four Landscapes, 2012

Romain Lamy, Quatre Paysages / Four Landscapes, 2012. Courtesy Art Souterrain

Mélodie Prégent, Dédale / Warren, 2013

Mélodie Prégent, Dédale / Warren, 2013

Oli Sorenson, Antimap29, 2013. Courtesy Art Souterrain

Sylvie Larouche, from a series Les théâtres identitaires / The Identity Theatres, 2012

Sylvie Larouche, from a series Les théâtres identitaires / The Identity Theatres, 2012

Natacha Clitandre in collaboration with Annick Désormeaux, Notes sur un lieu de passage / Notes on a public place, 2013

Natacha Clitandre in collaboration with Annick Désormeaux, Notes sur un lieu de passage / Notes on a public place, 2013 (detail)

Yu Hang Huang, Mémoire en cours / Memory in process, 2013

Yu Hang Huang, Mémoire en cours / Memory in process, 2013

Kaia Hugin, Hannava, 2013. Courtesy Art Souterrain

Vincent Toi, Différence d'altitude / Paperwings, 2011. Courtesy Art Souterrain

Dominique Pétrin, Pazzazz, 2013.

Dominique Pétrin, Pazzazz, 2013.

Loren Williams, Entrée de tunnel / Tunnel entrance, 2013.

Shyra De Souza, Labyrinthe de l'archétype éternal / Labyrinth of the Eternal Archetype, 2013

Shyra De Souza, Labyrinthe de l'archétype éternal / Labyrinth of the Eternal Archetype, 2013 (detail)

Sergio Clavijo, Les dormeurs / The Sleepers, 2013

Sergio Clavijo, Les dormeurs / The Sleepers, 2013

llona Staples, Eurodédale / Euromaze

llona Staples, Eurodédale / Euromaze (detail)

Martin Frossard & Isabelle Guichard, Big Bang / Big Crunch, 2013

Arnaud Caquelard & Hyojin Moon, Territheory, 2013

Geneviève Gallant, Pour mieux se perdre / Meanderings

Philippe Allard, Paradis artificiel / Artificial Paradise, 2013

Philippe Allard, Paradis artificiel / Artificial Paradise, 2013

Les Ville-Laines, Sans dessus des sous /No mess, 2013.

Chélanie Beaudin Quintin, Boîte à cris, 2012

Lucie Belhomme, Jean-Baptiste Bouillant & Fabiola Di Lena, Porte au loin /

Nathalie Quagliotto, Vous êtes ici / You Are Here, 2013. Photo by Nathalie Quagliotto

Tara K. Wells, Tantramar, revisité / Tantramar Revisited, (2012)

Tara K. Wells, Tantramar, revisité / Tantramar Revisited, 2012 (detail)

Claire Burelli, Éclat 2012

Sean Martindale, Language LIBRE / FREE Langue, 2013.

Sean Martindale, Language LIBRE / FREE Langue, 2013. (detail)

Albane Guy and Alexandre Renzo, Arbre à souhaits de la Camaraderie / Camaraderie wishing tree, 2013

Albane Guy and Alexandre Renzo, Arbre à souhaits de la Camaraderie / Camaraderie wishing tree, 2013 (detail)

Video booth stands alone in the middle of the food court.

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All photos by M-KOS except where mentoned.

Art Souterrain
2 – 17 March 2013
artsouterrain.com [French / English]

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Hit and miss treasure hunt in the labyrinth – Art Souterrain 2013

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Nathalie Quagliotto, Vous êtes ici / You are here, 2013. Photo by Nathalie Quagliotto.

The Labyrinth themed fifth edition of Art Souterrain indeed furnished a dazzle of art sceneries to mark seven kilometres underground pathways with over 120 artworks. Taking the topic to heart, many works denoted either a puzzling of the visual senses or forms of bewilderment within the self, between societies or geo-political conditions. Mélodie Prégent’s installation “Warren” (2013) combined adjacent mirrors and perspective photographs of empty corridors, stairways and tunnels to create illusions of endless passages. Loren Williams whimsically faked several tunnel entrances, not only to confuse or amuse the audience but also to suggest gateways to fantastic and imaginary worlds. Continue reading “Hit and miss treasure hunt in the labyrinth – Art Souterrain 2013”

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Sleepless in Montréal – Nuit Blanche & Art Souterrain 2013

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Catherine Béchard & Sabin Hudon, La circulation des fluids, 2008/2009. Installation view. Courtesy the artists; Laroche/Joncas, Montreal; Art Souterrain

From sunset on 2nd March till dawn next morning, Montreal will host the 10th edition of Nuit Blanche, showcasing a number of art events throughout the city. For the visual arts, many museums and galleries are open all night including Laurent Grasso’s must-see “Uraniborg” exhibition at Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal; “The Image Factory” by Harun Farocki & Hito Steyerl at SBC Gallery of Contemporary Art, “Raccords” by Alain Fleischer at Galerie de l’UQAM, “ABC/MTL” at Canadian Centre for Architecture and many more.

The visual arts bonanza is highlighted by the fifth edition of Art Souterrain entitled Labyrinth, showcasing over 120 artworks and performance (including permanent public art), transforming the seven kilometer long underground city into an aesthetic maze experience. Continue reading “Sleepless in Montréal – Nuit Blanche & Art Souterrain 2013”

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Brooklyn/Montréal goes stateside


 

From October to November 2012, Montreal hosted the first installment of “Montreal/Brooklyn”, initiating an exchange in visual art events between the two titled cities, thus capturing important media and audience attention towards the art scene of the Quebecois metropolis. In an interview with M-KOS, Montreal coordinators Claudine Khelil and Yann Pocreau mention their delight at all the positive feedback received in Montreal, but remain alert for the final chapter of the project that is yet to come, over to the state side of the border. As it is now Brooklyn’s turn to host the next part of this event, indicated by the reversed title (Brooklyn/Montreal), the categorical test for Montreal artists will be about how they are received by New Yorkers, their critics as much as their art enthusiasts. Will there be any buzz?
Continue reading “Brooklyn/Montréal goes stateside”

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Contemporary art all nighter – Nuit Blanche Toronto 2012


Rhonda Weppler & Trevor Mahovsky, All Night Convenience, 2012 Courtesy of the artists and Pari Nadimi Gallery

Originally conceived in Paris in 2002, Nuit Blanche celebrates contemporary art in the span of a single night, from sunset to sunrise. This weekend is Toronto’s turn with Scotibank Nuit Blanche keeping the city awake all night long. In its seventh edition, the event showcases over 150 contemporary art projects headlined by the exhibition Museum for the End of the World at the City Hall curated by Janine Marchessault and Michael Prokopow featuring 14 artist projects, including Douglas Coupland, Thomas Blanchardm, Iris Häussler, Dana Claxton, An Te Liu, Tania Mouraud and more. Another 29 commissioned projects feature Ceal Foyer, Catherine Yass, Oliver Husain, Kelly Mark, Trisha Brown Dance Company, Neil Campbell to name a few, in addition to 15 Open Call Projects, 4 Sponsor Projects and 96 Independent projects including Christian Marclay’s The Clock at The Power Plant, giving audiences a perfect opportunity for a sleepless night. Moreover, ‘Nuit Talks’ offers a series of free themed discussions for candid exchanges, for a overarching contemplation of the creative activities in Toronto as well as some behind-the-scenes peeks at the wealth of art and artists within one of North America’s largest contemporary art events.

Scotibank Nuit Blanche 2012
Saturday 29 September 2012
7.03 pm to sunrise
For more info: scotibanknuitblanche.ca
Continue reading “Contemporary art all nighter – Nuit Blanche Toronto 2012”

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Opalka’s film awarded top prize at FIFA


Film still from One Life, One Work, 2011. Directed by Sapija Andrzej. © Sapija Andrzej

FIFA’s 30th anniversary program packed in impressive audience numbers, with screenings of no less than 232 films from 27 countries. From 15 to 25 March 2012, art lovers and film buffs shared the projection rooms of the International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA), held in nine of Montreal’s most established cultural institutions. Between the Fine Art Museum, the Canadian Centre for Architecture, the Goethe Institute and more, here the filmic genre highlighted all artistic activities, from architecture to contemporary music, dance and of course visual arts.

The 11 day screening program was again enhanced with a series of meetings and performances, this year with pianist Marika Bournaki, film directors Alain Fleischer, Jennifer Alleyn, Anne-Marie Tougas, as well as choreographer Margie Gillis, to name just a few. The distribution of prizes awarded in the FIFA competition attested to this year’s rich mix of editing skills as much as to the program’s vivid portrayal of some of today most relevant artists.
Continue reading “Opalka’s film awarded top prize at FIFA”

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Art Marathon: Art Souterrain 2012

Montreal is well known for its underground city. During the long Canadian winter, people get around the city’s downtown area, from one tunnel to another, without ever going out into the frosty air. Between 25 February through 11 March Montreal’s underground city was hosting the fourth edition of Art Souterrain (Subterranean Art, in French), a contemporary art event inaugurated in 2009 by Frédéric Loury, director of Galerie [SAS]. This year Art Souterrain showcased 140 art projects, including installations, photography, video, performance and permanent public art, all under the theme of “Passageways”. Art Souterrain has been expanding the number and volume of projects every year, to now in its fourth edition it covers over seven kilometers of underpass, with invited artists from as far as Paris and Calgary. Here are some works that caught our imagination.
 


Mathieu Grenier “Dans le Cube Blanc (O’Doherty) / Inside the White Cube”
 


Nathalie Quagliotto “Maturity Bend”
 
Continue reading “Art Marathon: Art Souterrain 2012”

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ELEKTRA 12: International Digital Art Festival 4–8 MAY 2011

ELEKTRA 12 – International Digital Arts Festival
04-08 May 2011
Various venues in Montréal
www.elektramontreal.ca

(Clockwork from top left) Cod.Act “Cycledïd-E” (2009) kinetic installation. courtesy of the artist ©Xavier Voirol; Martin Messier “Sewing Machine Orchestra” (2010) AV performance. courtesy of the artist; 1024 Architecture “Euphorie” (2010) AV performance courtesy of the artist; Mary Ellen Bute (1906–1983) film screening curated by Sandra Naumann, courtesy of S.Naumann and Elektra; Yam Lau “Rehearsal” (2011) installation. courtesy of the artist; Kurt Hentschläger “Feed” (2005–06) AV performance. courtesy of the artist

For its 12th edition, ELEKTRA offers a wide selection of the recent digital creations. Based on this year’s theme “Visualising Sound” the festival showcases diverse programs of audiovisual performances, as well as robotics, interactive art and installations, hosted at several Montréal venues.

Continue reading “ELEKTRA 12: International Digital Art Festival 4–8 MAY 2011”