arts and culture

EXMURO unveils latest public art exhibit

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

EXMURO unveils latest public art exhibit

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

On May 14, EXMURO unveiled its latest public art exhibit in Lower Town, which will remain until Jan. 10, 2026. Starting within EXMURO’s headquarters in Place Royale, three artists – Martin Bureau, Isaac Cordal and Pipilotti Rist – expose their works in the building and on the streets.

Curious passersby get a glimpse of Quebec artist Bureau’s latest piece in the building. The waving flags are of his own creation, inspired by five actual flags found at the United Nations. They are part of his piece, Counterfeit Edens for Times of Chaos/Feindre l’Éden Pour un temps le chaos, found on the second floor, where visitors will find a large circular conference table surrounded by fake national flags and burnt, charred office chairs. Bureau created this two-part installation in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada. “This is a sinister reproduction of an international committee, similar to the Security Council at the United Nations,” he said. “It is my interpretation of them being unable to regulate the chaotic world in which we live.”

More mysteries are unveiled beneath the stone arches in the vaults and behind the closed doors of EXMURO’s facilities. To fully appreciate Rist’s work, one needs complete darkness. The Swiss artist created a series of videos projected onto screens and the stone walls of the gallery: Ever is Over All and Sip My Ocean. Visitors can sit on the floor or on large beanbag cushions. Her third piece, Open My Glade, is visible outdoors on the Côte de la Montagne side of the building, from across the street after the sun goes down.

Whether within the building or throughout Lower Town, Spanish artist Cordal invites the public to Follow the Leaders through the Cement Eclipses. “It is my take on the destruction of the capitalist world, what happens to businessmen when the world around them is destroyed,” he said. On one diorama located on the floor in the building, he placed a large frame filled with a destroyed city, in which he placed countless businessmen in varying positions. Focusing on the different individuals and groups from various angles encourages viewers to reflect on the modern world.

More surprises await the public this summer, the first of which is Minigolf Belleville Plaisirs from June 20 to Sept. 1. This first collaboration between EXMURO and the Ateliers Belleville (a.k.a. Lab-545), the Montreal-based artistic hub, had 18 Quebec artists create an artistic twist on a popular summer pastime. Other surprises will be unveiled throughout the season.

In addition to the outdoor installations, EXMURO has opened a coffee shop, Café de l’Aire publique, in the lobby of its headquarters, inviting visitors to discuss art over coffee, tea and treats made by local businesses.

For more information, visit exmuro.com.

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Festival Carrefour brings the world to theatre-goers

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Festival Carrefour brings the world to theatre-goers

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

The Festival Carrefour (formerly known as the Carrefour international de théâtre) returns for a 25th edition from May 22-June 7, with performances at the Théâtre Périscope, the Théâtre de la Bordée and Le Diamant and a range of free outdoor shows.

The festival offers immersive multidisciplinary experiences, festive cabarets, urban dance performances and original theatrical creations.

This year, the festival celebrates its quarter century with 11 shows and nearly 40 performances, both indoors and outdoors. Productions from Quebec, Canada, Belgium, France, Greece and Rwanda will be featured.

Highlights include Merci d’être là, an original interactive performance from Belgium; Maurice, inspired by the life story of a man with aphasia; Michel(le), an intimate tale about queer identity; Hewa Rwanda, Lettre aux absents, a poignant tribute to the victims of the Rwandan genocide; and La Petite dans la forêt profonde, a dark fairy tale for grown-ups presented in Greek with English and French surtitles.

Three other previously announced creations complete the program: the multilingual (French, English, Tamil and sign language) LACRIMA, a reflection on fashion; the surreal French-language spaghetti western The Rise of the BlingBling; and Kukum, based on the award-winning novel by Michel Jean.

Except for LACRIMA and Kukum ($55), tickets for the indoor shows are priced on a sliding scale from $10 (targeted at job seekers, people with low income and people who rarely attend cultural events) to $45 (targeted at people with stable incomes who want to show their support for the cultural sector).

Requiem pour Pupulus Mordicus, a free outdoor puppet parade through the streets of the Old City on June 1 (postponed to June 7 in case of rain), is not to be missed. The festival also features activities such as a movie night, creative workshops and a conference on new magic. Keep the party going on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the festival’s pop-up bar, Le Zinc, at La Charpente des Fauves (206 Christophe-Colombe Est).

The popular free outdoor immersive show Où tu vas quand tu dors en marchant (Where do you go when you Sleepwalk) will bring back last year’s four interactive tableaux (tableaux typically change every other year) in a new setting, with support from the Ville de Québec. The show will be moved from the area around ExpoCité to Upper Town in a nod to the festival’s history. Place D’Youville will host Le grand marché de l’influence, Vésuve will take over the Îlot des Palais and La Nuit nous appartient will share Place de l’Artillerie with the Wendat mythology-inspired Yahwastsira’.

To explore the full program and reserve tickets, see the festival website at carrefourtheatre.qc.ca.

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Ministry gives over $172,000 for cultural development in the Huntingdon riding

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The Ministère de la Culture et des Communications is investing $172,499 in the cultural development of the Huntingdon riding.

Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette made the announcement on behalf of Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe on March 24, noting the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent will receive $78,354 while the MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville will see $94,145 in cultural investments.

The funds have been granted through the Ententes de Développement Culturel Municipales et Régionales, which will provide funding over a three-year period ending in March 2027.

“I am particularly pleased with our government’s support for the cultural initiatives led by our MRCs,” said Mallette, while pointing out that the development of cultural initiatives contributes to the region’s vitality.

The funds granted through the cultural development agreements are generally 50 per cent co-financed by the municipalities and MRCs, but this can reach as high as 60 per cent in devitalized regions.

In the Haut-Saint-Laurent, $18,000 will be used to create participative musical workshops for seniors living in long-term care residences. At least $42,549 will be used for cultural development initiatives including an update to the MRC’s cultural policy, as well as the creation of video capsules and workshops to promote the work of area artists. A cultural heritage project highlighting four cemeteries in Havelock with informative panels will receive $17,805 in funding as well through this agreement.

Nancy Brunelle, the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent’s cultural coordinator, said she is pleased with the amounts accorded in the agreement. She confirms the MRC will contribute $58,000 towards the completion of these initiatives.

The MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville will dedicate $30,000 of this funding toward the development of cultural activities for seniors, while $42,549 will be used to for cultural development projects. At least $6,677 will be spent on cultural heritage initiatives, while $14,919 will be used to develop youth-oriented projects within the MRC.

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$1.6M in funding for the Cap-aux-Os Centre artistique 

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The financial package to launch the construction of the Cap-aux-Os Centre artistique is now complete with the federal government’s announcement on February 6 of a $1.6 million contribution. 

The project involves transforming the village’s old church into a modern, dynamic and inclusive arts centre. This iconic venue, once the heart of the community, will regain its vocation as a gathering place thanks to a complete renovation that combines respect for heritage and innovation. 

The planned work includes replacing doors and windows, improved insulation, redesigned interior cladding and new stairs. At the same time, special attention will be paid to universal accessibility: adapted toilets, a barrier-free entrance and modernized exterior stairs will be integrated to ensure that this space is truly open to all. 

The installation of an artesian well, a septic tank and the replacement of oil heating with a more ecological option are part of the project’s commitment to sustainability and environmental standards. 

“The church will become the Arts Centre, which will be a creative hub dedicated to artists. We will become the first Maison de la culture in Gaspé. Artists will have access to work, exchange ideas and there will be workshops, a café-bistro, ready-to-camp for artists in residence and artists will offer learning sessions to school groups, the community and tourists,” says Daniel Bernier, president of the Cap-aux-Os Arts Centre Committee, who has been working on the project for eight years. The Cap-aux-Os municipal library will also be located at the venue. 

“It’s important to support this project. We’re talking about culture. It’s near Forillon Park. It will be part of the tourist itinerary and it will showcase the culture and artists of the community. We know how important it is, especially in the current period, to have something beautiful in the community,” says Member of Parliament (MP) Diane Lebouthillier, who announced the federal contribution. 

The total cost of the project was estimated at $4.1 million in 2022. In addition to federal contributions, the Quebec government has disbursed $2 million, the Town of Gaspé $155,000 and the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé $50,000. 

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