In Montreal, C2 stands for commerce and creativity, as in C2-MTL, an annual gathering of leading innovators from a broad spectrum of industry who have but one thing on their minds: finding creative answers to commercial questions. And, especially this year, C2 also stands for culture and cool…

Now in its second year, C2-MTL – taking place at Arsenal (a converted shipyard built in 1846), May 21-23 – fairly explodes the notion of the traditional business conference. No soul-destroying PowerPoint presentations here. Instead, 20 internationally renowned keynote speakers from a multiplicity of disciplines – including, for example, Virgin’s Richard Branson, former supermodel and now business exec Elle Macpherson, and French architect and designer Philippe Starck – sharing their experience vis-à-vis immersive multimedia presentations.

An imaginative array of panel discussions, collaborative workshops, interactive exhibits, conceptual spaces and festive events all serve to augment the emphasis on creating next-level networking opportunities and real-world business solutions. Which is to say stimulation, not simulation.

C2-MTL is about the whole brain, left and right sides combined. Well-satiated senses are conducive to creating and C2’s arts and cultural partnering in particular reflects that. This year the Montreal Opera will play a key role at the conference opening with uniquely conceived solo performances blending digital media. Cirque du Soleil will contribute with a 47-performer strong original creation upped with “an extra dose of dazzle” from fashion legend and keynote speaker Diane von Furstenberg. The Montreal International Jazz Festival will kick in with Musique Risquée, featuring prominent Montreal DJs Vincent Lemieux and Akufen (they’ll also be curating music on C2’s outdoor plaza).

Modern dance will come in the form of the Festival TransAmérique choreographer Ginette Laurin and her new Arab Spring-inspired work Khaos. And to cap it all off, three of Montreal’s cutting-edge music festivals – M for Montreal, Osheaga and Igloofest – will all sponsor live entertainment on C2-MTL’s closing night at the Intel Forum onsite. Look for performances by indie-folk-rock tastemakers Half Moon Run, longstanding top-shelf turntablist Kid Koala and internationally acclaimed electro/techno dance DJ Tiga.

THE DETAILS

C2-MTL, May 21-23, 2013

Arsenal, 2020 Rue William, (514) 931-9978

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Arsenal was already among the city’s biggest non-museum art spaces, but as of last week they’ve broken their own records. With a brand new show dramatically titled Like Thunder Out of China, uniting nearly 50 works by contemporary Chinese artists, they revealed a massive (think 22,000 square feet) section of the building that was as of yet unused. Part cavernous exhibition hall, part loading dock, the possibilities for parties (Grand Prix and Fashion Week are already regular clients) are endlessly exciting.

The art on view also does the space justice: The showstopper is the famous Miss Mao 3 by the Gao brothers, an 8-foot-tall stainless steel bust of Mao sporting huge inflated breasts, a creepy doll smile and a Pinocchio nose. (Is it any surprise the work is banned from exhibition in China?) The father of Chinese pop art, Qui Jie, contributes a series of drawings replacing politicians’ heads with those of cats – another sort of derision, only cuter. In fact, all the art was chosen for its cheeky spunk, its dissidence, its ability to comment on the state of China today from within. All the artists included still call China home.

When you hear Chinese art you may automatically think Ai Weiwei – he’s not included in this show, which focuses on the younger generation, but Like Thunder Out of China does mark the Canadian launch of the book Weiwei-isms and MAO, the complete book of his Mao iconography. Check it out in person, in the beautiful Arsenal space.

THE DETAILS

Like Thunder Out of China, Until July 27, 2013

Arsenal, 2020 William, (514) 931-9978

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The grandiose Arsenal space will transform once more into a glittery palace of rad rags for this year’s Fall/Winter edition of Montreal Fashion Week, happening from February 4 to 7, 2013. In addition to the runway shows, Montreal Fashion Week mixes things up with all sorts of fashion inspired activities: conferences, exhibits, artistic performances, and a new concept that marries fashion with cinema called the Fashion Premiere. This series of 21 fashion films will be presented throughout the event at the headquarters, and will include a tribute to internationally known homegrown designer Rad Hourani, directed by Parisian filmmaker Jean Du Sartel.

The spotlight on local talent will shine particularly bright during a few special events, including a presentation of the creations of 25 finalists for Canada’s Breakthrough Designers 2013 contest, which collects entries from 22 fashion design schools across Canada, on Thursday, February 7 at 7:30 in the main space. Also, right after, Target is putting on a fashion show featuring the collections of five finalists from its Emerging Designer Award, at 9 pm. Start your night off with a bang with the Harricana par Mariouche show at 5:30 pm and get to know one of Quebec’s most crafty designers.

Other shows to keep an eye out for to meet the next generation of Montreal creators are Pedram Karimi (a lover of geometric sharpness and minimalist construction) at 7:30 on February 4, Matière Noire  (a playful label that deconstructs sportswear) at 5:30 pm on February 6, and Coklush (a duo of leather workers who make tactile, functional wear and accessories) at 7:30 pm on February 6.

Meanwhile, off-site at McCord Museum, there are two free activities dedicated to the history of fashion: on February 2, the film Bill Cunningham New York, all about the octogenarian New York Times photographer, will screen at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Then on February 6 at 6 pm there’s a cocktail marking the launch of the book
 Giorgio Armani: Empire of the Senses, by Concordia University professor John Potvin. Not to be missed.

Tickets to Montreal Fashion Week are on sale here and spots are limited. Those who will not be able to get to the Arsenal can watch all of the shows live on the Montreal Fashion Week website thanks to Parce Que Films, the official video partner.

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THE DETAILS

Montreal Fashion Week SS13, February 4-7, 2013

Arsenal, 2020 William, (514) 876-1499

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