Riopelle is taking root in our landscape // MNBAQ
Special event
Espace Riopelle Grand Opening
Espace Riopelle — Michael Audain Pavilion
About
This fall, Jean Paul Riopelle is taking root in our landscape.
The Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion will be opening its doors so visitors can experience a space that pays tribute to Jean Paul Riopelle’s creative freedom and the landscapes that inspired so much of his art. An enchanting experience like no other awaits the first-ever visitors to this extraordinary new building. Will you be one of them?
Four days of celebrations honouring Jean Paul Riopelle
From October 22 to 25, the new space will be brimming with artistic energy as artists of all kinds take over for the grand opening, whose theme is What Moves Through Us.
Dance, music, and creation will converge for a distinctive, immersive, and utterly unforgettable celebration punctuated by artistic performances and unique encounters inspired by Riopelle's work. In the evening, spectacular projections await in a magical setting.
Join us for the event of a lifetime!
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On the program: poetry, creativity, and emotion
As you wander through the exhibitions, you can take in memorable performances, admire the stunning view from the Terrasse du Fleuve, have a bite to eat at Café Rosa, or take advantage of an exclusive look at the visible storeroom. Simply enjoy your experience at your own pace.
Visual art and architecture
Enjoy exclusive access to the Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion. Be one of the first to take in its exceptional architecture and inaugural exhibitions, accompanied by our guides. Enjoy an olfactory experience crafted by Chartier World Lab, and measure your emotional reactions to Riopelle’s work.
Dance
With its repertoire inspired by the Québec landscape, Fleuve | Espace Danse has much in common with Riopelle’s work. Dancer and choreographer Chantal Caron and her troupe will put on performances throughout the building, adapted from three of their signature performances: Prendre le Nord, La Marée Noire, and Êtres de Bois.
Music
Each day, students from the Conservatoire de musique du Québec will perform classical pieces that will echo throughout the building, creating a contemplative ambiance.
Immersive experience
Riopelle was fascinated by the icebergs he saw during his travels in the Far North. Surrounded by the music of Flore Laurentienne, you too can enjoy the majesty of these massive chunks of ice with Iceberg, la route des géants, a virtual reality experience created by FAB (Télé-Québec).
A peek behind the curtain
The new visible storeroom and restoration lab will give you a glimpse into art conservation and restoration. Members of the team will be available to tell you all about the work that goes on behind the scenes.
Drawing and creation
Draw inspiration from nature and the land that so inspired Jean Paul Riopelle. Join the A Bird’s-Eye View collage workshop to create your own flock of birds soaring over the landscape. You’ll bring home a memento from your participation in the Espace Riopelle grand opening.
In tandem, roaming artists and writers will capture the magic of the grand opening with impromptu sketches and texts inspired by the art, the building, and the discoveries.
Projecting Riopelle
Once the Light Falls
The architecture of the Charles Baillairgé Pavilion becomes a screen as a video projection, accompanied by an original score by Philippe Brault, invites you to see Riopelle’s creative world in a new light. Directed by Stéphanie Jasmin as part of the Montréal en Histoires project, this film explores the silent dialogue that unfolds between the artist’s work and those who contemplate it.
Art films
In the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion, the auditorium will be showing a looping selection of award-winning shorts by the contemporary dance company, whose performances interpret natural cycles through movement.
Be the first to see four new exhibitions
Frequently asked questions
Financial partners
Presenting partner of the opening celebrations
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