A MONTH OF PHOTOS IN MONTREAL

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Known for illuminating a broad range of global issues, Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal this year turns its focus inward, illuminating both the depths of human compassion and the darker recesses of existence. Heavy themes for heavy times, but Le Mois de la Photo’s 2011 key word – lucidity – speaks more to the truth that photography can provide rather than its possible deceptions…

In its 12th edition, the international biennale event continues to push the boundaries of what photography is capable of, investigating the art form’s many ways of presenting the world around us. This year, that investigation is more introspective and meditative, with photographs that seem to show us the surface of things while also revealing much more. Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal’s 25 solo exhibitions, outdoor installations and group shows by artists from Canada and around the world all question the depths to which photography can go as a representation of ourselves and our world.

Here too are the different perspectives of local galleries, including several in downtown Montreal – Skol, Optica, SBC, B-312, Galerie de l’UQAM, Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, MAI and the McCord Museum – as well as Dazibao in the Cinematheque Quebecoise and, in the Plateau neighbourhood, Articule, Clark and Maison de la culture du Plateau-Mont-Royal. Artists will be present at most of the galleries’ opening nights in the first weekend of the festivities (September 9–11).

Le Mois de la Photo launches with a free party and exhibition for all on Thursday, September 8, at Arsenal (2020 William – corner of Canning and Notre-Dame W.), 6 p.m. Get to know some of the artists involved in Le Mois de la Photo at the Meet the Artists Brunch, September 11 at Arsenal, and at the event’s international colloquium featuring lectures on the theme of Lucidity – artists, art historians, critics and curators will share their views on September 30 at the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

And for even more photo action, this time of a more journalistic bent, head over to Marché Bonsecours (325 de la Commune, in Old Montreal) for the 54th edition of the World Press Photo exhibition, running concurrently with Le Mois de la Photo, and featuring the year’s best press photographs from around the world.

THE DETAILS
Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal, September 8-October 9, 2011

World Press Photo, September 8-October 2, 2011

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Photo Credits:

Cao Fei, Whose Utopia, 2006, video still. Courtesy of the artist and Vitamin Creative Space, Guangzhou. © Cao Fei

Kimsooja, A Needle Woman, 2005 (Patan, Nepal). Courtesy of Kimsooja Studio © Kimsooja

Roni Horn, Some Thames, 2000. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth © Roni Horn

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