BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT: FORGOTTEN HISTORIES OF MONTRÉAL

From February 20 to April 28, 2024.

“Between Past and Present,” a project by the collective Je suis Montréal, draws attention to the history and identity of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities in Montr/al, whose experiences have been largely erased from the official historical narrative. This visual and written manifesto celebrates their presence, resistance, and resilience. BIPOC can no longer be relegated to the position of “them,” as if they were forever outsiders and not active participants in the history of Montréal.

Historical scenes depicting these Montréal communities were reenacted to connect past and present, and photographer Bliss Mutanda created collages juxtaposing archival pictures of Montréal with recent photographs of BIPOC youth.

“Between Past and Present” was created as a virtual exhibition in 2020 and presented for a week in February 2023 at the WIP Art Gallery as part of Nuit blanche. It has now been adapted for the MEM Kiosque, after being selected by the MEM’s Community Engagement Committee.