An original work by Jean Paul Riopelle will be premiered on Saturday at the Montreal Biosphere as part of Riopelle – A bird on the loosean interactive and immersive exhibition to highlight the 100e artist’s birthday.
Created in 1990, when Jean Paul Riopelle’s physical abilities were diminished, the work of mixed technique on wood is presented to the public with objects that once belonged to the artist who died in 2002.
At the time of creating this orphan work by name, Jean Paul Riopelle was painting above a table using elements that he recycled and reused, such as horseshoes, fishing nets and stencils of animals.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The Executive Director and Executive Commissioner of the Centennial Celebrations of the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation, Manon Gauthier
General manager and general commissioner of the centenary celebrations of the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation, Manon Gauthier emphasizes that “the more the physical state of Jean Paul Riopelle decreased, the more he innovated in his creation”.
Innovation is also a central point of the exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loose, which offers both works by the famous painter and interactive technological elements.
Visitors will also hear Symphonic Riopellean original musical creation by Serge Fiori and Blair Thompson inspired by the life and work of the artist.
For the president of GSI Musique, Nicolas Lemieux, who participated in the creation of this 75-minute musical piece played by the Orchester symphonique de Montréal, the exhibition is an invitation to dive into the artist’s universe. “We mixed the symphonic aspect, the innovation aspect with the interactivity of the installations and, of course, the creation aspect of Riopelle. It creates a cocktail that you don’t see often. »
Riopelle – A bird on the loose
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Preview of the exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loosepresented at the Montreal Biosphere
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Preview of the exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loosepresented at the Montreal Biosphere
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Preview of the exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loosepresented at the Montreal Biosphere
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Preview of the exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loosepresented at the Montreal Biosphere
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Preview of the exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loosepresented at the Montreal Biosphere
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“Universal theme”
Collective creation Riopelle – A bird on the loose is based on the artist’s love for Île aux Grues and for the flocks of snow geese, explains Ms.me Gautier. “There is a universal theme in Riopelle’s art: the symbolism of the goose that leaves and comes back. Just like Riopelle, who has moved around a lot throughout his career. »
The curator recalls that it is the duty of the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation to “continue to spread its love for nature and to pass on the migration component to young citizens”.
This is why the Espace pour la vie museum complex, in collaboration with the International Youth Offices of Quebec, called on 12 young people aged 18 to 35 to create “Migration”, a section of the exhibition in which there are reproductions inspired by the migratory movement represented in the works of Riopelle.
The exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loose contributes to the legacy of Jean Paul Riopelle, while juxtaposing his vision with those of the artists of the new generation. Mme Gauthier is delighted that Jean Paul Riopelle still inspires young people today.
The director of the Biosphere, Isabelle Germain, is proud to host this exhibition, which respects the mission of the museum. “What interested us was to highlight the nature aspect of Riopelle’s art, which is central to the Biosphere’s mission. »
Located on Île Sainte-Hélène, the exhibition is some 300 km from Île aux Grues, where Jean Paul Riopelle lived until his death.
The exhibition Riopelle – A bird on the loose is presented from June 3, 2023 to May 5, 2024 at the Montreal Biosphere.