Leonard Cohen: Une brèche en toute chose / A Crack in Everything

Exhibition presented in collaboration with the Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary

The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) is pleased to announce Leonard Cohen: Une brèche en toute chose / A Crack in Everything, an exhibition of international scope presented as part of the festivities for Montréal’s 375th anniversary, which will take place in fall 2017.

Through his poems and his music and lyrics, Cohen touches a huge audience and influences countless artists across all disciplines and generations around the world. The exhibition is an homage to this global star and touchstone of Montréal culture.

Created exclusively by the MAC for the occasion, this multidisciplinary exhibition will allow the Musée to offer the public a collection of brand-new works commissioned from and created by local and international artists who were inspired by the great master’s style and recurring themes. These artists represent the visual arts, performance art, music, the written word and film, thus providing visitors with a dynamic, participative and immersive experience.

As MAC Director and Chief Curator John Zeppetelli explained, “Leonard Cohen has filled our collective imagination with thoughts and songs on a number of topics that touch us all as human beings. One of the major themes of Cohen’s work, the imperfection of the human condition, is clearly evoked in the exhibition’s subtitle, A Crack in Everything. This expression comes from 'Anthem,' one of Cohen’s most famous songs. Immediately after those words, the artist suggests that there is always room for redemption and hope, because that very crack is what lets in the light that allows life to grow.”

"There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in."
("Anthem," Leonard Cohen, 1992)

The MAC is thrilled about Leonard Cohen’s support of this project, which will allow the Musée to delve deep into his career in order to present an innovative and original exhibition.

“The exhibition Leonard Cohen will be a great source of pride for all Montrealers, including myself, as this icon of poetry, literature and music has been an incredible global ambassador for the City of Montréal. Fittingly, this exhibition will go on to be presented at a number of museums around the world, celebrating Montréal’s creativity and know-how,” announced Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre today.

“The government is proud to be associated with the exhibition Leonard Cohen, which will shine a light on our city, just as this Montréal icon himself has done. The Musée d’art contemporain will thus contribute to the successful celebration of Montréal’s 375th anniversary, generating tourism and economic benefits,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister responsible for the Montréal region Martin Coiteux.

“As an artist, Leonard Cohen is larger than life,” noted Gilbert Rozon, Commissioner for Celebrations of Montréal’s 375th anniversary. “By celebrating his multidisciplinary talent, we celebrate Montréal’s creativity. The MAC could not have found a better example of our city’s vitality.”

About Montréal’s 375th: visit 375mtl.com.