Meet Philippe Katerine and Monsieur Rose

Montreal, May 7, 2024 – Monsieur Rose, the emblem of Mignonisme, has arrived in the Quartier des Spectacles and downtown Montreal. From today until September 29 this year, Montrealers, visitors and festivalgoers are invited to see the pink side of life with an art walk called Le Mignonisme by Philippe Katerine. The artist is in Montreal for the occasion, and will meet members of the public.

“I am very happy to see Monsieur Rose continue his world travels and take his summer holidays in Montreal! He will bring a splash of pink to the downtown core, and a little bit of whimsy to Montrealers’ daily lives,” said Philippe Katerine.

“Philippe Katerine and Montreal have something important in common: a sense of creativity and innovation, which will be highlighted beautifully with the arrival of Monsieur Rose in our downtown core. This meeting of the city and the work of a unique artist is truly exciting. It is an honour to host the Mignonisme series by Philippe Katerine. The works will bring added colour to the Quartier des Spectacles in the coming months. I invite Montrealers and visitors to explore and enjoy everything our downtown has to offer,” said Valérie Plante, mayor of Montreal and of the borough of Ville-Marie.

Discover Philippe Katerine's plastic art

The artist invites Montrealers to come meet him and learn all about his artistic movement and its quirky and poetic influences during an event called La vie en rose avec Philippe Katerine : rencontre et séance de signatures, on May 8 from 4 to 6.30 p.m. in the Salon Urbain at Place des Arts. Philippe Katerine will present his most recent book* featuring more than 70 Mignoniste drawings. The public will also be able to go home with a mini Monsieur Rose and other Mignoniste objects created by the artist. The event is presented in collaboration with Place des Arts.

Enjoy Mignonisme all summer

“We simply fell in love with Mignonisme and Monsieur Rose, and we’re delighted to welcome this unique and talented artist, Philippe Katerine! This whimsical, humorous and crowd-pleasing artistic project is a perfect fit for our ongoing commitment to making the Quartier des Spectacles and downtown Montreal more attractive through original cultural and artistic experiences,” said Monique Simard, chair of the board of directors, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.

The fifteen monumental pink sculptures will be in place all summer, adorning the city with their vivid hue. The series spans several iconic downtown sites, the Nouveau Centre, and the Quartier des Spectacles, as well as Place des Arts and Phillips Square. A sixteenth monumental Monsieur Rose will appear in Complexe Desjardins in the coming weeks. The series is accompanied by an original digital work that brings the Monsieur Rose statues to life. The piece, created by Montreal artist Jérémy Fassio in collaboration with Philippe Katerine, will be projected on building façades in the Quartier des Spectacles and inside Place des Arts.

Finally, the first family-oriented creative workshop on Mignonisme will take place on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Esplanade Tranquille pavilion. The workshop will be led by musician Philippe Eveno and the rentingART team, who will introduce the children to Philippe Katerine's artistic style.

Quotes from partners

“Nouveau Centre is thrilled to host a Monsieur Rose sculpture at each of its properties this summer. The Mignonisme public art project by Philippe Katerine is a perfect fit for our mission of energizing and animating downtown Montreal with activities such as public cultural experiences,” said Annik Desmarteau, 1^st Director, Quebec Offices, Ivanhoé Cambridge.

“Montreal provides a vast canvas and an ideal travel destination for Monsieur Rose! These unusual and amusing sculptures are perfectly aligned with the city’s creative spirit. The charm of Mignonisme contributes to the exciting atmosphere of our downtown core. Young, old, visitor or resident, let yourself be transported by the childlike spirit of these pink sculptures. Many of the millions of visitors we’re expecting this summer will want to take photos with these ephemeral urban delights,” said Yves Lalumière, CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

“Place des Arts is delighted to host three Monsieur Rose sculptures, bringing a surprising and delightful touch to our complex. Arriving just in time for festival season, they will brighten the Esplanade and bring a smile to thousands of faces. We are pleased to contribute to this original experience presented by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership by offering Philippe Katerine’s admirers a unique and memorable experience in his company in our Salon urbain,” said Marie-Josée Desrochers, CEO of Place des Arts.

“The Montréalité that we all cherish is, in part, expressed through the cultural vibrancy and magic that we feel through public art. Being located in the Quartier des Spectacles, Complexe Desjardins is always striving to contribute to the vibrancy and success of Montreal’s cultural life. That’s why we are delighted to participate in this start to the summer in the Quartier, as part of this incredible group of works. The Monsieur Rose sculpture by Philippe Katerine is a perfect fit for the artistic program at Complexe Desjardins, which will be all the richer for it,” said Marie-Pier Labarre, Marketing Director and Property Manager, Complexe Desjardins.

“Downtown Montreal is proud to welcome Le Mignonisme by Philippe Katerine for the entire summer. We salute the work and invaluable cooperation of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, which made it possible to present this wonderful program in the heart of the city,” said Glenn Castanheira, executive director of Montréal centre-ville.

_{*Philippe Katerine, dessins mignonistes, rentingART publishing, 2024}

Le Mignonisme by Philippe Katerine, a series of sculptures, is a presentation of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership in collaboration with the rentingART agency, which manages international touring for the Mignonisme works. The project is made possible by the financial support and cooperation of the borough of Ville-Marie, Nouveau Centre by Ivanhoé Cambridge, Tourisme Montréal, Place des Arts, Complexe Desjardins, Montréal centre-ville and the Ville de Montréal.

ABOUT THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE PARTNERSHIP

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 informations : quartierdesspectacles.com

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MEDIAS CONTACT

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

SOURCE

Quartier des spectacles Partnership
Chloé Goldstein
chloe.goldstein@quartierdesspectacles.com
(514) 812-2193