A fascinating marine world awakens under your feet
Take an interactive journey on ice – a dreamy experience of the Far North that reveals its strikingly rich biodiversity.
In the enormous land that is Quebec, a virtual infinity of waterways – from creeks to the mighty St. Lawrence – are home to abundant flora and fauna. Whether fresh or salty, the water flows harmoniously before freezing on winter’s arrival. We take advantage of these enormous natural mirrors to go for a nice long skate. But are the creatures under our blades really hibernating?
Behind you, your skates leave a winter fresco on the ice – the marks left by your blades allow glimpses of a fascinating imaginary underwater world, a parallel universe inhabited by aquatic and terrestrial animals. Fish, whales and tortoises are unveiled through an interactive video projection by Mirari and Normal Studio and follow you playfully. Learn to get along with the neighbours under your feet and become the current, the maelstrom, the celestial energy! Let your imagination glide into a world that belongs to dreams: the world of Lac Tranquille.
CREATIVE INTENTION
"Like the skaters who will brave winter cold to enjoy this experience, we have accomplished a major creative and technological feat by creating this open-air interactive work. We are very happy to have been able to use our creativity and expertise to bring a luminous, magical and dreamlike world to life in the heart of Montreal. With Au bord du lac Tranquille, skaters become part of the story by building and transforming the visual world through their movements. This unique project is a fine example of the characteristic collaboration and ingenuity of Montreal’s creative ecosystem."
Thomas Payette, co-founder and creative director of Mirari, and Philippe Belhumeur, creative director of Normal Studio.
CREDITS
Design and creation: Normal Studio et Mirari Photon programming: VYV
A production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
BIOGRAPHY
Normal Studio
Normal Studio is an integrated creative studio. The company works closely with artists and producers from the culture and entertainment sectors to deliver immersive experiences that meld creativity and technology to amaze the public.
The Montreal-based studio transforms urban spaces into impactful immersive experiences. Through multisensory and interactive installations, 360° projections and architectural actions, it brings wonder into people’s lives and creates shared magical moments. Normal Studio produces live and recorded events with powerful emotional resonance, creating the perfect setting for artists and brands to connect more deeply with their audiences. Grounded in both tradition and innovation, the studio’s work leverages the latest technology and proven formulas to make an indelible impression on the spectator’s memory.
Philippe is dedicated to the sublime transformation of performance using innovative technology systems for shows ranging from orchestra and theatre, TV and architectural projections.
For 15 years, he has worked at the intersection of scenography, video, and technology, combing each element to deliver impactful and entirely immersive experiences with a strong intent: transporting the audience to new territories of imagination.
Mirari
Mirari creates spaces, installations and works that transform the way people see the world. Their team of creatives get their know-how from their long-standing experience in the performing arts.
They believe in bringing art to life, and leaving a distinctive human imprint — whether for the stage, public spaces or major events. Each and every one of their projects is completely thought through to create an unprecedented connection with spectators.
Thomas Payette is a graduate of the production program at the National Theatre School of Canada. In 2015 he co-founded Mirari, a multidisciplinary studio that creates works, spaces and installations that transform the public’s perceptions. Thomas is the studio’s creative director and a multimedia designer.
He has been creative director for several works and installations for public spaces and contributed to video and multimedia productions by artists such as Robert Lepage, Sylvain Émard, Guillaume Côté, Virginie Brunelle and Martin Messier and highly regarded institutions such as Théâtre du Nouveau Monde and the National Ballet of Canada.
Thomas is a member of the board of directors of Xn Québec and an instructor at the National Theatre School of Canada.
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Download the images and videos
Please include full photo credits: Luminothérapie, Au bord du lac Tranquille, by Normal Studio and Mirari, a production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.
ABOUT LUMINOTHÉRAPIE
The Luminothérapie event presents an original, interactive and captivating winter experience in Montreal’s cultural district, the Quartier des Spectacles, with large light-and-sound installations designed specifically for public space. In 2020 and 2021, special editions were held in the Quartier with a series of works and a moment of sound and light to extend the experience. Luminothérapie is aimed at stimulating creativity in urban installations and digital art. Several cultural districts around the world have shown interest in the Quartier’s interactive art installations for public spaces, made by Montreal artists and creators. Since 2016, 14 works created for the Quartier des Spectacles have been exhibited on 165 occasions in 70 cities in 12 countries. The installations are distributed by Quartier des Spectacles International.
To learn more about the competition and the works presented in past years, see the Luminothérapie press kit.
ABOUT THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES PARTNERSHIP
The Quartier des Spectacles is Montreal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s greatest concentration and variety of cultural venues. The district is the year-round host to countless festivals and events, many of which include free outdoor shows and activities. The Quartier hosts innovative urban installations featuring cutting-edge lighting design, immersive environments and interactive digital spaces. Year round, the Quartier presents artistic video projections on building façades. The Quartier des Spectacles is also a showcase for new multimedia technology, making Montreal a global leader in the urban exhibition of digital content.
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 80 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership is supported by the Ville de Montréal.
