Go Digital in The Quartier des Spectacles

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Discover the vast digital side of the Quartier des Spectacles, including its ever-changing architectural projections. Original works, an international competition and a call for proposals: the Quartier offers as many ways for the public to explore digital art as opportunities for artists to make it.

Pascale Daigle, director of programming for the Quartier des Spectacles, spoke to us about the entertaining Space Monkey projection and the other exciting projects she and her team are working on.

Space Monkey, a new video projection that’s a barrel of fun!

This spring, the projections will feature the Montreal premiere of Space Monkey, by the New York creative studio Dawn Of Man. The acclaimed work, previously seen in Australia and the United States, stars a simian astronaut that grows into a world- and galaxy-famous machine for getting people up and dancing. A wildly entertaining projection that’s sure to spark the curiosity of the Quartier’s regular denizens and visitors alike.

“We wanted to give visitors and locals something really fun to accompany the arrival of spring. A monkey-man dancing on the side of a building fits the bill! We hope this funny little story will make people smile,” says Ms. Daigle.

ONE architectural PROJECTION TO ANOTHER

The permanent projection sites dotting the Quartier showcase original work. “The projections are an important part of the Quartier’s identity and atmosphere, especially since we have one of the world’s few architectural projection networks that shows only artistic content, and has a permanent infrastructure.”

From Thursday to Saturday, starting at nightfall, the public is invited to check out the projections on six buildings. The building façades are spaces for exploration and entertainment for creators and interactions places for the spectators.

“We’re always looking for ways to inspire artists from different backgrounds to explore the Urban Digital Laboratory, which includes the projection sites, and create pieces for one façade, or all six. We want to offer a variety of different experiences, usually with audience participation. We want to encourage people to get to know their city better, and see urban spaces in a new light.”

THE FINALISTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR INTERACTIVE ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONS

Earlier this year MUTEK_IMG, in collaboration with the Partenariat du Quartier des Spectacles and MAPP_MTL, organized an international competition inviting artists working in every discipline, living in Canada or elsewhere, to propose an interactive architectural projection for the wall outside the Saint-Laurent metro station, a location seen by thousands of people every day.

"The idea behind the competition is to explore new forms of interaction with projections, but without installing major new infrastructure" says Pascale Daigle.

On April 11, during MUTEK_IMG, the competition’s six semi-finalists presented their prototypes for the jury and the general public. It was a chance for the artists to test their work and exchange with the audience about their creative process.

"Instead of having experts test the prototypes, we wanted to give the public the chance to try them out, which will ultimately enrich the artists work"

The three finalists Ensemble Ensemble (Points de rencontre), HUB Studio (Mur-Mur) et Thomas Ouellet Fredericks (La légèreté de l’être) will then refine their prototypes and present their new versions during MAPP_MTl in October.

A ROUND TABLE ON THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL PUBLIC ART

In addition to the competition, a panel discussion on the future of digital imagery in urban space was held at the Phi Centre on April 12 in collaboration with MUTEK_IMG and Mapp_MTL. The panel, with local and visiting artists, exhibitors and researchers, was part of a broader reflection on the future of digital imaging for public spaces.