On May 25, ride your bike with us and be part of a unique artistic event!
Be one of the cyclists who will participate in Mouvements libres, a moving-text performance with poetic/political themes, in the Quartier des Spectacles!
You’re invited to turn your bike into a platform for free expression and be part of a major group artwork thanks to the AgitPOV, a small device that displays a meaningful word on the wheels of a bike.
The event will begin with a large gathering in Place Émilie-Gamelin. There will be a photo session to capture the event for posterity. The cyclists will ride a short route for about 20 minutes to show their word to the city. A video will capture the statement made by hundreds of cyclists that evening in Montreal.
This is the first time the AgitPOV will be used on so many bikes at once. There will be a photo and video session to capture this political-art event for posterity.
Your AgitPOV unit is yours to keep, so you can extend the experience and keep displaying your words wherever you ride!
ONLINE REGISTERING IS OVER, BUT YOU CAN REGISTER TONIGHT AT THE EVENT STARTING AT 6:30 P.M. SEE YOU THERE!
Regular price
1 for 20 $, plus a service charge of $1.40 (taxes not included)
2 for 35$, plus a service charge of $1.78 (taxes not included)
Non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE AGITPOV TO KEEP SPREADING YOUR WORD THROUGH THE STREETS!*
*All prices include one AgitPov per participant. Minimum age to participate: 12 years You will receive a user manual for programming new words into the AgitPOV. Because the device is still a prototype, it is provided without warranty or post-event support.
Schedule
Meet in Les Jardins Gamelin (Place Émilie-Gamelin) on Friday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m.
You will receive one programmed AgitPOV, ready to be attached to the wheel of your bike. You will receive instructions about the evening's program, including on-site photography and the short bike ride around the Quartier des Spectacles. A GIF and a short video will also be created and released after the event.
Queen Ka and KNLO in Les Jardins Gamelin
At 8 pm, local rapper Queen Ka, will perform an original piece, inspired by the participant's words. The event will conclude in Les Jardins Gamelin, where the procession of cyclists will be welcomed around 10 p.m by A DJ set of KNLO. This promises to be a festive, thought-provoking and community-spirited evening.
FAQ
Is there a minimum age for participating in the event? Yes, participants must be at least 12 years old.
What does the group artwork consist of? By choosing the word to be displayed with your AgitPOV, you will contribute to the overall message of this political/artistic happening, captured in photos and videos taken in Place Émilie-Gamelin and during the 300-person ride.
What should I bring to the event?
Your bicycle, your bike lock, a water bottle and rainwear if necessary. Please also come with your registration confirmation (printed or digital).
Bike racks will be available at various locations in Les Jardins Gamelin so that you can lock up your bike after the ride and enjoy the post-ride festivities.
I don’t have a bike, can I participate?
Yes, you can participate on a bicycle from the Bixi bike-sharing service. There are stations near Place Émilie-Gamelin. Note that you are responsible for paying the regular charge for Bixi use.
Aside from cycling, what’s the best way to travel to and from the event?
Gathering place: Les Jardins Gamelin, Place Émilie-Gamelin. Nearest metro station: Berri-UQAM.
The event concludes in Les Jardins Gamelin.
Do I need to print my ticket and present it at the event?
You either have to print your ticket or be able to display it electronically.
What will happen if it rains?
If there is a light shower, the event will go ahead as planned. Heavy rain will result in cancellation.
If the event is cancelled due to bad weather, the organizers will inform you and provide instructions for picking up your AgitPOV.
You can also follow the event’s Facebook page to get the latest updates on weather-related scheduling changes.
What is the refund policy?
There will be no refunds in case of cancellation. If the event is cancelled due to bad weather, it will be possible to collect your AgitPOV at a later date. The organizers will contact you with details.
Are my registration fees or ticket transferable?
No, tickets and fees are not transferable.
Does it matter if the name on my ticket or registration is not the same as the name of the person participating? Yes. The name used for registration or shown on your ticket must match the name of the person participating in Mouvements libres.
Online ticket sales end on May 23 at midnight. Can I register on-site on the day of the event?
Yes, there will be on-site registration before the event, if there are any tickets available. Go to the registration table in Les Jardins Gamelin at 7 p.m. on May 25 to register and receive your AgitPOV. The on-site registration fees are $23 (single) and $40.24 (double). Taxes included.
The AgitPOV (Petit Objet de Vélo) is a small device consisting of 12 LEDs, a micro-controller and a battery. Once attached to a bicycle’s spokes, it uses the viewer’s persistence of vision to display an illuminated message while the bike is moving.
The device was created during the student strikes of 2012 by UQAM art professor Alexandre Castonguay and student Jean-Pascal Bellemare. It is a communication tool that adds a playful element to demonstrations.
The AgitPOV works with all types of bikes, including BIXIs. It may be difficult to install an AgitPOV on a wheel smaller than 25 inches in diameter or in a non-standard size.
Choose your word
The word you choose is important to the aesthetic and meaning of Mouvements libres! It will be part of a message sent by 300 cyclists !
Upon registration, you must choose a word with a maximum of 12 letters (spaces included). Shorter words are easier to read.
Choose a meaningful word that evokes something you consider underrepresented in the urban landscape. A word with poetic and political implications, to make people think about the future of the city, for example the role of cycling in urban life. The word must not be connected to any commercial interest.
The Mouvements libres team will program your word into the AgitPOV unit, which will be attached to your bike on the evening of the event.
CREDITS
The experience is based on Alexandre Castonguay’s sculpture, Bike Wheel, which was located in front of the Grande Bibliothèque de Montréal as part of the KM3 public art event from August 30 to October 15, 2017. The evening’s activities will be directed by François Bernier in collaboration with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.