Manif d’art 8 – Quebec City Biennial

Manif d’art will be moving its main exhibition to the new Pierre Lassonde Pavilion, set to open in 2016.

The Executive and Artistic Director of Manif d’art, Claude Bélanger, proudly announced that “this collaboration is very timely for Manif d’art, which has been working hard for the past fifteen years. Exhibiting in the museum’s new pavilion, which is a work of art in itself, is a golden opportunity for us.”

“I was delighted to learn of this partnership, which involves a common mission: to open up spaces for the very latest art,” declared Hélène David, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language. “By extending its roots into the new Pierre Lassonde Pavilion, an expansion project in which my government proudly participated, Manif d’art now has 1,300 square metres to feature works that are striking, groundbreaking—and invariably fascinating.”

In addition to the four splendid galleries of the new pavilion, the exterior surroundings may also be taken over by artists. The new auditorium could also present artworks or cultural events. “After developing this world-class structure devoted to contemporary art from 1960 to the present, it seemed natural for the Museum to collaborate with Manif d’art,” explained Line Ouellet, Director and Chief Curator of MNBAQ. “This essential partner, along with Quebec artists, will benefit from this outstanding showcase.”

Manif d’art, the driving force behind the Biennial known for its bold—indeed, irreverent—approach, will continue to collaborate with its co-presenters, who have helped build the event’s reputation. All of its key components will be preserved: the special collaborations, satellite venues, outdoor works and fringe performances—in short, everything to get Quebec City moving for three months to the rhythms of today’s art. “There is a synergy within the city’s artistic and cultural communities, as this partnership confirms,” declared Julie Lemieux, Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Québec, Responsible for Culture, Heritage and Urban Planning. “More and more, Quebec City is establishing itself as a cultural destination of the highest rank.”

This partnership between two of the cultural community’s major players will allow a pooling of resources and expertise, thereby enhancing the vitality and international visibility of artists and their works. “I am delighted with this collaboration between Manif d’art and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, which will undoubtedly reinforce the event’s international reputation,” concluded Stéphan La Roche, Chief Executive Officer of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. “I am convinced that these joint efforts will bode well for Quebec’s visual arts community as a whole.” The fruits of this collaboration—the formulation of ambitious and distinctive projects—will also raise the profile and prestige of both Manif d’art and MNBAQ.