Manif d’art 7: Contemporary Art on Display

Resistance – And Then, We Built New Forms

3 May – 1 June 2014

Curator: Vicky Chainey Gagnon

The public is invited to view the exhibits and take part in the many activities organized under the theme of Resistance – And Then, We Built New Forms. The Quebec City biennial will gather over 120 artists whose works will be displayed at 35 venues in Quebec City, Lévis and Wendake from May 3 to June 1. TV and radio host Matthieu Dugal is this year’s spokesperson.

To make sure biennial participants get the whole experience of this event, four walking tours of the exhibit venues have been laid out. The extensive event program comprises nearly 50 activities, such as special events, workshops, meetings with the artists and guided tours.

At the heart of the biennial

The Curator for the 7th edition of this event, Vicky Chainey Gagnon, has gathered a host of Quebec, Canadian and international artists who have created works inspired by the theme of resistance in all its forms. The biennial is actually a large circuit of interrelated exhibits. A total of 36 artists from 8 countries will display their works at 20 venues. Once again, the main venue for the event will be at Espace 400eBell in the Old Port of Quebec, where the works of 13 artists will be showcased.

The guidelines for Manif d’art 7 were defined by Curator Vicky Chainey Gagnon and focus on the theme of resistance. This biennial underscores the critical role played by the visual and media arts in the documentation of conflicts and manifestations of resistance. The Curator develops the theme by addressing the many tactics and strategies on which are based current radical practices. The political role of art, film, video and performance in association with resistance is examined and discussed.

For the first time at a Manif d’art biennial, the theoretical piece produced following a reflection on the theme will be unveiled at the Manif d’art 7 Benefit Premiere Event on Friday, May 2, 2014. The catalogue for Resistance – And Then, We Built New Forms comprises all of the theoretical texts on resistance and a colour portfolio of the 36 artists chosen by the Curator.

Venues
In addition to Espace 400e Bell, the main venue for the biennial, the participating artists’ works will be displayed at 16 other venues selected by the Curator: Antitube and Les Productions Recto-Verso (videos screened at studio d’Essai); Avatar; Engramme; Galerie des arts visuels; Le Grand Théâtre de Québec; La Bande Vidéo; la chambre blanche; Le Lieu; L’Œil de Poisson; MATERIA; Musée de la civilisation; Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec; Regart; Vidéo Femmes (videos screened at Le Cercle); and VU PHOTO.

Extensive program for the special partners and satellite organizations

Manif d’art can count on the support of cultural organizations in Quebec City and Wendake to offer a range of exhibits and activities on the theme of resistance. For this occasion, four Guest Curators share their vision of the theme.

During the four evenings of audio and video shows at Le Cercle, Érick d’Orion will introduce the seriesGuerillas: United by Sound. Young Guest Curators Anne-Sophie Blanchet and Anne Pilorget will display the work of 9 artists at, respectively, Maison Hamel-Bruneau and four Quebec City libraries. Sociologist and art critic Guy Sioui Durand will present an exhibit featuring the creations of two Aboriginal artists at the Huron-Wendat Museum.

Over 20 organizations will also host exhibit and satellite activities, some of which are associated with the theme chosen by the Curator. This part of the program includes screenings, a gourmet meal, modern dance, guided tours, discussions, a live radio show from Espace 400e Bell and exhibits.

Satellite organizations
Art Souterrain; CKRL 89,1; Comité populaire Saint-Jean-Baptiste; EXMURO arts publics; Folie/Culture; Galerie Lacerte; Galerie Michel Guimont; Galerie Morgan Bridge Gallery; Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec; La Rotonde, centre chorégraphique contemporain de Québec; Le Tiers Temps; Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec; Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels du Québec; Réseau intercollégial des activités socioculturelles du Québec; Spirafilm; and Tam Tam Café.

The pin
With a pin, you get free admission to the exhibits of the biennial, a discount on the admission fee to some paid activities and various discounts at different participating businesses.

Rates
Adults: $15*
Students (student card required): $10*
*including taxes

The Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) is happy to be a part of Quebec City’s cultural life by teaming up with Manif d’art 7. Upon presenting their OPUS card when purchasing the pin to access the event, customers of the RTC will get a $2 discount. As most sites of the event are very well served by public transportation, it is both a convenient and interesting partnership.

Present one of the following for a $1 discount on the regular price of a pin: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec membership card or Musée de la civilisation membership card.

Points of Sale (starting April 21)

• Espace 400e Bell
• Manif d’art offices
• Antitube
• Avatar
• Gabrielle-Roy Public Library
• Engramme
• Galerie des arts visuels
• L’Œil de Poisson
• La Bande Vidéo
• Le Cercle
• Le Lieu
• MATERIA
• Musée de la civilisation
• Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
• Regart (Lévis)
• Librairie Formats (Montreal)

Media relations in the Quebec City area:
Marie-Ève Charlebois
Communications Sira ba
418-524-4648
[email protected]

Media relations in Montreal:
Marie Marais
Media Relations Officer
514-845-2821
[email protected]

Source and media relations outside Quebec:
Patrick Fournier
Director of Communications,
Manif d’art, 418-524-1917
[email protected]