We often pass quickly in front of the permanent exhibition halls of the museums. But, whether it’s for a particular room, an activity offered or the innovative use of a technology, there are several good reasons to stop there. Here are eight examples.
MNBAQ: We
Identity is the central theme of We, which will be on view from April 20 at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ). This new permanent exhibition will offer cross-references on oneself, on the other, on us. At the heart of the thoughts that led to the creation of the exhibition is the work of Marie-Claude Pratte, Company portraits (1999-2000). It is made up of 50 pictures representing stereotypes of different actors in society as well as current issues, such as caricature and the impact of prejudice on society. To this set of paintings were added several other works from the national collection by artists who also question the theme of identity, including Alfred Pellan, Françoise Sullivan, Jori Smith, Manasie Maniapik and Eddy Firmin. What defines me? What is Identity? These are the types of questions that the exhibition will raise. It will also address the issues of massive forced or voluntary population displacements and the themes of the territory and its occupants. How do humans, animals and vegetation share the territory and how do they relate to each other? These subjects have inspired several artists for many years, including Théophile Hamel in the 19th century.e century, including Jean Paul Riopelle and Inukjuak artist Caroline Elijassiapik, three artists whose works come together in the exhibition. Installed in the Pierre Lassonde pavilion, the exhibition will provide a showcase for the establishment’s collections during the work on the future Espace Riopelle. This project was developed as part of the Museum Innovation Incubator. It brings together the two state museums of the City of Quebec, namely the MNBAQ and the Musée de la civilisation, to promote the emergence of original proposals likely to transform the practices of museum teams and the experience of visitors.
Civilization Museum: My house
After having had to close its doors in December due to flooding, My house opens its doors again on March 4 at the Musée de la civilisation. Designed for children aged 3 to 8, this permanent exhibition includes four main rooms inhabited by four imaginary birds. Napoléon Dodo is in the living room, Colette Poule cooks in the kitchen, Nestor Hibou has taken over the bedroom and Captain Calliopée Goéland is battling the storm in the bathroom. There is also a garden, a vestibule, an attic and a closet that serves as a photo booth. Children will also be happy to find three secret passages. Through their visit to this place which represents everyday life, young visitors have the chance to see no less than 200 objects from different collections of the Musée de la civilisation. Among those that catch the eye, let’s mention a clock on which, from 1881 to 1904, a young girl wrote down the big and small events of her life. The exhibition will also present three stuffed birds, portraits painted by Théophile Hamel and Antoine Plamondon, as well as utensils from yesteryear accompanied by videos showing how they were used. Various interactive games have also been planned for children. To create this exhibition, the Musée de la civilization collaborated with Les incompletes, a company specializing in research and creation that explores the intersections between living arts and visual arts.
Montreal Insectarium: The moment of a meeting
By purchasing a ticket to visit the Insectarium, you can go to the Grand Vivarium every day at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. to attend The moment of a meeting. This 20-minute animation allows you to get to know an insect or a spider and see if you can feel good in its company. The mission of the new Insectarium, opened last year after three years of renovation, is precisely to transform our relationship with insects to make it a positive experience. The museum team invites the public to put themselves in the place of insects and immerse themselves in their universe through a multisensory journey. The goal is to get people to realize their interdependence with these little beings and their importance for the balance of ecosystems. The new naturalized collection also innovates by presenting some 2,500 specimens in chromatic and thematic tables. The public can also rub shoulders with several species of living insects throughout the year.
MMFA: THE netsuke at fingertips
A collection of small Japanese objects that fit in the palm of the hand can be discovered in the heart of the Stéphan Crétier and Stéphany Maillery wing for the arts of the whole world, at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). To discover all their secrets, visitors can live the digital experience Netsuke at your fingertips with their smartphone and headphones. Originally a netsuke was a men’s fashion accessory worn in Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868). These miniature sculptures served as buttons for hanging small bags from the belt of their owner’s kimono. Made with expensive imported materials, such as ivory, and finely decorated, the netsuke were not only practical objects, but also cultural symbols. They have become objects coveted by Western collectors, particularly in the 19th century.e century. 3D modeling of netsuke allows you to see the finest details that adorn these objects that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Netsuke at your fingertips can also be experienced on the MMFA website.
CCA: The lives of documents. photography as a project
The Canadian Center for Architecture (CCA) is getting ready to celebrate its 50e anniversary which will take place in 2029. It will present, over the next six years, a trilogy of research projects and exhibitions focused on the medium of photography and new media as a means of investigating the built environment. The first chapter presented on May 3 is entitled The lives of documents. photography as a project. In addition to works from the CCA’s collection, the exhibition will feature pieces from national and international collections. Orders were also made to photographers. For example, we asked Lara Almarcegui, a Spanish artist, to come and do a Montreal part of her series Wasteland. For this project, which has been ongoing for several years, she immortalizes vacant lots, wastelands, demolition sites or other places that escape a defined design and are open to all sorts of possibilities. We will also discover in the exhibition the work of Naoya Hatakeyama who, after losing his mother in the tsunami in Japan in 2011, began to photograph the transformation of the territory after this natural disaster. We see buildings being rebuilt on land whose level has been raised above sea level. We also see trees that have been hit by the wave on one side and which, as a result of this trauma, grow asymmetrically. This first part of the trilogy was designed by photographers Bas Princen and Stefano Graziani. In addition to the photographs, the exhibition will present books, models and interviews to be able to understand what is hidden behind these works.
Pointe-à-Callière: new artefacts
Located on the birthplace of Montreal, the Pointe-à-Callière museum continues to carry out archaeological digs. The general public is invited to see the most recent discoveries made on the former site of the Sainte-Anne market and the Parliament of United Canada (1832-1849), located west of Place d’Youville. About 350,000 artifacts have been taken from this archaeological site, the last in the greater Montreal area. Visitors will be able to discover a selection of them throughout the summer in the barracks noh 1, located nearby. The Montreal Museum of Archeology and History will take advantage of this opportunity to tell the life and story of people from that era. Oyster shells, bottles of alcohol, glassware, inkwell, but also combs, razors and soap dishes are among the objects chosen since parliamentarians have spent many nights in this place debating bills. Other artefacts will testify to family life at the time since the tenant of parliament lived there with his wife and their children. These objects are now part of Pointe-à-Callière’s permanent collection, and the museum is working hard to find a way to preserve and showcase these artifacts from the Sainte-Anne Market and the Parliament of United Canada. ‘year.
McCord Stewart Museum: Exploration Leaflet for Families
For its permanent exhibition Voice Aboriginals today: knowledge, trauma, resilience, the McCord Stewart Museum has created an exhibition leaflet for families. Designed for children aged 6 to 11, the document suggests stopping at different objects in the exhibition to take the time to observe them carefully, to let their imagination run wild and to discuss the subject with loved ones. For example, for an Aboriginal baby carrier, the children are invited to observe its patterns, then to imagine what the baby sees and feels in the baby carrier carried on the back of its parent and, finally, the child is asked to he was once carried in a way where he was at the same height as adults and how that came to change his perception of the world. The child will also be able to learn, in the document, a few words in different Aboriginal languages. In conjunction with this permanent exhibition, the McCord Stewart Museum is also offering a collaborative beading workshop on March 9 in the evening with artist Nico Williams. It is recommended for people 16 years and older.
Montreal Science Center: Mini Mondo
Considerable efforts towards inclusion were made at the Montreal Science Center to create the interactive exhibition Mini Mondo for children under 7 years old. Children’s different senses are called upon as they stroll through this small world where, in town, they can maintain the green roof of a house, plant vegetables in the garden and buy groceries in an eco-responsible way. In the forest, they can touch bark and stones and follow animal tracks. We even thought of babies: 0 to 2 year olds have their own den. In the river, they can discover a host of fish. In addition to French and English, the exhibition includes, in some places, Arabic, Creole, Spanish and Mandarin. The facilities have also been designed to accommodate different family models. The museum has provided a large family bathroom with a long changing table suitable for a tall child with special needs, a nursing room, a microwave to heat bottles or food and comfortable chairs at the heart of Mini Mondo so that parents can rest while watching their children experience life. The exhibition won the Prix Excellence from the Société des musées du Québec.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.