Rien ne se perd, rien ne se crée, tout se transforme

Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed

Putting the exhibition together was quite a marathon. After an initial, exploratory phase, the curators drew up an exhaustive list of artists, covering all disciplines and generations. Then, over the summer and fall of 2007, they followed up with visits to studios and exhibitions, and numerous meetings as they refined their search for formally and thematically innovative practices that showed a high degree of mastery. Out of this process, 38 artists and artists collectives were selected. The showcased works all reflect an openness to the present in their approach to fundamental issues. They also attest to the vibrancy of Québec art, as well as its diversity and relevance.

Only when it came down to the final selection was the title chosen, inspired by the nature of the works included and Lavoisier’s famous maxim: “Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed,” which was in turn borrowed from Greek philosopher Anaxagoras of Clazomenae.

Musée curators Josée Bélisle, Pierre Landry and Mark Lanctôt, and Chief Curator Paulette Gagnon organized the exhibition, while their colleague Lesley Johnstone acted as project coordinator.

A wide-ranging program of activities is planned around the event, to be held every three years

 This past May 14, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and Télé-Québec launched a program of ten video spot artworks created by Québec visual artists.

Catalogue

On the occasion of its inaugural Triennial, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is launching a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated, 216-page catalogue entitled Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed. The Québec Triennial 2008, published in both French and English-language editions. In the first part, the show’s curators offer their insights in four essays: Pierre Landry, “Things and Their Opposites”; Josée Bélisle, “The Night Watch”; Paulette Gagnon, “Distress and Re-enchantment”; and Mark Lanctôt,  “Happy Trails.” The second part focuses on the participating artists, who have each written personal introductions to their works, accompanied by numerous reproductions. The following section is devoted to the artists who produced the video spot artworks broadcast throughout the summer over the airwaves of Télé-Québec and screened at the Triennial. The catalogue also contains a biobibliography and a list of works. It may be purchased for $39.95 at the museum’s Olivieri Bookstore or from your local bookseller.

Music Video

The third edition of Music Video ties in with the Triennial and will raise the profile of our local multimedia talent with its spotlight on productions emanating from the Montréal scene.

WWKARMY performance

 To wrap up the Triennial, WWKA (Women with Kitchen Appliances), a collective established in 1999, is presenting a playful, highly original performance on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. Like a WWKA army, the artists will do battle with small household appliances—hand mixers, blenders, food processors—in a performance rich with humour, sensitivity and intelligence. Multimedia event organizer Louise Simard is coordinating the performance.

Video interviews available on this page

The videos available on this page were produced by the Musée’s communications department in collaboration with the audiovisual department.

The interviews with French-speaking artists are available on the French version of this page (Nicolas Baier, Raphaëlle de Groot, Julie Doucet, Doyon-Rivest, Stéphane Gilot, Cynthia Girard, Bettina Hoffmann, Romeo Gongora, Emanuel Licha, Jonathan Plante, Jocelyn Robert, WWKA (Women with Kitchen Appliances), Etienne Zack)

Reading room

 The Eaton Lounge, across from the Media Centre on the second floor, will serve as a reading room throughout the exhibition. To explore the subject of current art events around the world and situate The Québec Triennial within a broader context, the Media Centre has set up an interactive terminal where visitors can consult more than 100 official sites of the leading international events. As well, a selection of catalogues is provided highlighting the participation of Québec and Canadian artists abroad and recurring Québec events.

Activity kit

An activity kit has been designed to accompany a visit to The Québec Triennial. It is intended for all adults who wish to share a discovery of contemporary art with children age 6 to 10. Through a selection of eight works of painting, sculpture and installation, visitors of all ages will observe, ask questions and carry out a variety of activities that make learning fun. Free, on loan from the ticket counter. In French and English.

Art workshops and tours

A new art workshop for children age 6 and over, called All Taped Up, is inspired by artist Jonathan Plante’s 2008 work Instantané.

As part of our Creative Tuesdays for adults, the workshop A Creative Challenge will experiment with mixing different media, techniques and materials—an approach seen in The Québec Triennial.

Guided tours of the exhibition are offered on Wednesday evenings at 6, 7 and 7:30 p.m. in French and 6:30 p.m. in English, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m., in French and English.

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