Manif d’art 7
Resistance – And Then, We Built New Forms
May 3–June 1, 2014
Quebec City
The program for Manif d’art 7 – The Quebec City Biennial, curated by Vicky Chainey Gagnon, was unveiled a few days ago at a press conference. 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 eight countries will display their works at 20 venues. Once again, the main venue for the event will be at Espace 400e Bell 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. 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 series Guerillas: 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.
Source and media relations:
Patrick Fournier, Director of Communications, Manif d’art:
T +418 524 1917 / communications [at] manifdart.org
