February 24, 2012 – Montréal’s “underground city” has been attracting visitors for quite some time, especially those curious about the extensive network of activities that occur deep beneath the city. Case in point: since 2009, this pedestrian network has hosted Art Souterrain an annual event that now, more than ever, showcases this special cosmopolitan venue through the compelling addition of visual art.
From February 26 to March 13, 2012, this exceptional fourth edition of Art Souterrain features, for the very first time, a theme: Passageways, with the double entendre that begins by inviting us to discover how the halls and public spaces that we pass through everyday, often without really noticing them, can be captivating when fused with contemporary art; and secondly, by prompting us to reflect upon the different passageways of our lives and the destinations to which they lead us.
Another first: this year, Art Souterrain has invited two cities, Paris and Calgary, to showcase the work of their own local artists in two choice locations along the exhibition route. The 1000 De La Gauchetière – an all-new exhibition space – will feature Parisian creativity, while Calgary will flaunt its colours at Place Ville Marie.
As in past years, Art Souterrain will participate in the Montréal All-Nighter, a favourite event to close the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival. This unique contemporary art exhibition will display the diverse and original works of some 130 local and international artists along an artistic 7-km circuit that winds its way under Montréal’s downtown district.
If past numbers are any indication, Art Souterrain could very well exceed a quarter of a million visitors during the 2012 Montréal All-Nighter alone, with more than a million visitors over the course of the 17-day event.
