Clark Center | Nicolas Grenier presents his Model House

The fourth edition of the benefit exhibition model house du Center Clark stages an interior designed by the visual artist Nicolas Grenier, to exhibit works by some twenty artists including Caroline Monnet, Pierre Ayot, Massimo Guerrera, Karine Fréchette and Hédy Gobaa. A successful scenography, to be seen by March 12.

Eric Clement
The Press

The events organized by art centers to finance themselves are generally exhibitions which consist of hanging works on the wall. That’s all. Clark, for three years, has been organizing a concept of model house which allows an artist to organize in situ a deployment of works for sale using the premises as a framework for an interior design.

The fourth model house of the Clark Center is called Mixtape for common areas. Well, maybe compilation could have replaced mix tapebut we understand that the title encompasses the process that led Nicolas Grenier to create his model house : an aggregate of works and a team creation. With this gang of Clark who still arouses so much admiration. And the artist’s desire to opt for the theme of cohabitation.

“I remembered what Dominique Pétrin had done for the model house, so the bar was high, says Nicolas Grenier. As I had exhibitions and lots of projects, I did not see myself undertaking this alone, but Alexandra [Briand-Soucy, coordonnatrice au développement à Clark] was quite convincing in telling me that it was a collective project. Plus, I’ve loved the Clark Center for a long time. Its programming is excellent and it deserves support. »

The theme of cohabitation started from a multi-generational house, which led Nicolas Grenier and his assistants from Clark to choose artists of various ages, from different walks of life and from different origins, in particular members of the Centre. This gives an exhibition with famous creators like Pierre Ayot, Massimo Guerrera, Marion Wagschal, Skawennati, Karen Tam or even Caroline Monnet. And others that we discover with pleasure.

Her Model House IV has thus become a conversation between artists in an all-white environment in which he has created rooms, a Montreal-style bay window and even a terrace! With a whole series of objects and furniture. And spaces that coexist. The living room with the kitchen, the bathroom in the busiest area and a dining room in the smallest corner of the house!

In the bedroom, the bed placed on the floor, near a drawing by Massimo Guerrera, evokes the personality of the artist whom we are happy to find through his creations in ink, gesso, acrylic and pencil. And placing Guerrera next to a work by the late Mathieu Lefèvre generates a Montreal-Brooklyn proximity that recalls the series of events that Clark launched ten years ago involving the two metropolises.

A work by Pierre Ayot near a container of recycled products. A proud native woman from Skawennati stands next to a looking down bust of Julius Caesar. A fabric painting by Raúl Aguilar Canela next to a study by Hédy Gobaa. And a fascinating work by Erzulie which takes up a sound extract from a Haitian media on the denunciation of criminals who escaped from prison following the earthquake of 2010. The benefit expo offers a variety of styles while being an expo in an exhibition.

“It is rare, at the moment, especially in times of pandemic, to be able to set up this kind of collective project, says Nicolas Grenier. It feels really good. “Oh that’s true! And this cohabitation should be possible everywhere.