Journées de la culture 2012

Montréal, September 25, 2012 — This year, as part of the 16^th edition of the Journées de la culture, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal invites the public to join in some stimulating activities tying in with its permanent exhibition A Matter of Abstraction. On Saturday, September 29, the MAC will be participating in the Arts Marathon to be held in Place des Festivals. During this activity organized by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the museum will be offering a novel workshop called Breath of Inspiration. The workshop is free of charge, while Musée admission will be half-price. Then, on Sunday, September 30, the museum has planned a day revolving around the theme of abstraction. On this very special day, visitors of all ages can take in the exhibition A Matter of Abstraction and, in the afternoon, enjoy tours and workshops that will allow them to give free rein to their creativity and their wildest imaginations. Admission to the MAC and to the tour/workshop combos will be free all day Sunday, September 30.

A Matter of Abstraction

A personal encounter with the artists and artistic movements that have defined the development of abstraction since the 1940s in Québec and across Canada: that’s what is in store for visitors to A Matter of Abstraction, a permanent exhibition organized by Musée curator Josée Bélisle. Following a chronological and thematic approach, it showcases key works from the museum’s Permanent Collection, which today form a priceless public heritage. On view are pieces by such artists as Paul-Émile Borduas, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Marcelle Ferron, Guido Molinari, Claude Tousignant, Fernand Leduc, Jacques Hurtubise, Jean McEwen, Armand Vaillancourt, Robert Roussil and Françoise Sullivan. In connection with this show, the MAC is also presenting On Abstraction, a selection of eight works that explore current, international ramifications of abstraction. Featured artists include Anish Kapoor, Vik Muniz, Martha Townsend and Franz West.

In the afternoon, educator/guides from the MAC team will lead tours of the exhibition. The tours will take place at 1 p.m. in French and 3 p.m. in English.

“Voracious Colours” creative combos

Tour/workshop combos exploring the theme “Voracious Colours” will also be offered free of charge. After observing the 1964 work Vorace multiglore by Lise Gervais, on display in the exhibition A Matter of Abstraction, participants will be invited to use acrylic to paint an abstract image made up of splashes of dazzling colours.

Tour/workshop combos: 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. In French and English.

Acknowledgements

The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is a provincially owned corporation funded by the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine du Québec. It receives additional funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts.