14TH ANNUAL LUMINOTHÉRAPIE: A NEW ITINERARY OF FIVE LUMINOUS WORKS UNDER THE THEME OF THE COSMOS

Montreal, November 30, 2023 – The 14^th edition of Luminothérapie, produced by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Montréal centre-ville and Place des Arts, opens today. Until March 10, 2024, the event will feature a new series of six luminous works on the theme of the cosmos, all presented for the first time in Canada.

For four months, Luminothérapie will give Montrealers and visitors a memorable winter experience in the city’s cultural heart. The luminous works are installed along Sainte-Catherine Street West, lighting up the downtown core with splashes of vivid colour, transforming it into the perfect place to be awed and amazed. Every evening after sunset, people of all ages are invited to explore the heart of the city and take a journey to other dimensions with an enchanting stroll through the Quartier des Spectacles.

QUOTES

“For the 14^th consecutive year, Luminothérapie will brighten the Quartier des Spectacles throughout the winter. By highlighting northern life as well as our city’s uniqueness and creativity, Luminothérapie helps the metropolis stand apart. I invite all Montrealers to come explore this beautiful and awe-inspiring new group of Luminothérapie works, while also taking advantage of the opportunity to discover and patronize our downtown merchants and restaurateurs, who have everything you need to warm your heart this winter,” said Valérie Plante, mayor of the Ville de Montréal and of the borough of Ville-Marie.

“Luminothérapie is an iconic Quartier des Spectacles event that transforms our experience of winter in the city and brings added beauty to the lives of the district’s residents and workers. Beyond the beauty of the works, each one conveys a message about the universe and environment in which we live. Congratulations to the artists and partners for their contributions. May Luminothérapie continue to brighten our winters and stimulate creativity in our city,” said the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Laurier–Sainte-Marie.

“Luminothérapie is Montreal’s flagship winter event. This series of art installations brings so much more than joy and colour to the cold season – it also provides a unique experience of Nordic urban life and makes the heart of the city a compelling destination in every season. With the 15^th edition just a year away, we can be proud of the many benefits this event has brought to our city, and of the bridges it has helped us build with other cultural districts around the world whose force of attraction is the creative use light,” said Monique Simard, Chair, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.

“Winter is a busy time of year for tourism in Montreal, and Luminothérapie plays an essential role by shaping our cultural landscape. This 14^th edition creates a fusion of cosmic art and the Montreal winter, offering unique experiences that will captivate visitors and residents alike. This event bolsters our tourism sector and confirms our reputation as a top-tier cultural destination at every time of year,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO, Tourisme Montréal.

“Montréal centre-ville is proud to be part of the 14^th edition of Luminothérapie, which brings light and wonderment to our long winter nights, particularly on Sainte-Catherine Street, which will host the gigantic, 10-metre-tall immersive work Huge Reeds. These colourful, majestic installations are just one part of a highly dynamic winter program,” said Glenn Castanheira, Executive Director, Montréal centre-ville.

“Place des Arts is very pleased to be a Luminothérapie partner, co-presenting two of this year’s works, Astera and Cymopolée. We are delighted to give Montrealers the chance to see these innovative installations up close, helping them enjoy winter on our Esplanade, a space open to everyone, every day of the year. Luminothérapie is an excellent way to bask in the bright lights of the Quartier des Spectacles, right in the heart of Montreal!” said Marie-Josée Desrochers, President and CEO, Place des Arts.

THE WORKS OF THE 14^th EDITION

Planètes by French studio Pitaya, co-presented by Tourisme Montréal

Perched in the treetops, a group of planets form a constellation of luminous orbs.

Astera by French collective TILT, co-presented by Place des Arts.

A giant flower metamorphoses into a thousand brilliant colors under the starry Montreal winter sky.

SOLSTICE by Montreal-based studio Iregular, manufactured by Jack World, co-presented by Tourisme Montréal

A monumental interactive installation that invites members of the public to take control of their immediate environment.

Cymopolée by French studio Luminariste, co-presented by Tourisme Montréal and Place des Arts.

A maelstrom of sound and light dazzles viewers with a twice-hourly light show.

Huge Reeds by French studio Pitaya, co-presented by Montréal centre-ville

Giant reeds, more than 33 ft (10 m) tall, light up with shooting stars, flames or multicoloured sparks.

Gravitation by artist Féline B and the Rodeo FX studio, produced by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership

A futuristic video projection that offers a shifting perspective on the universe, influenced by meteorological data from the previous 24 hours.

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 PARTNERSHIP

The Quartier des Spectacles is 20 years old! The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 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 benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal. 

More information: quartierdesspectacles.com

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MEDIA CONTACT  

Mélanie Mingotaud
Communications Mingotwo   
melanie@mingo2.ca  
514 582-5272   

SOURCE

Chloé Goldstein
Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
chloe.goldstein@quartierdesspectacles.com
514 812-2193