A popular public art celebration has returned to Quebec City for its 10th year. Running until Oct. 9, PASSAGES INSOLITES features the work of 40 artists, from both the province and around the world.
The largest of its kind in Quebec, the event includes a retrospective route, as well as four distinct circuits visitors can follow to view the artwork. Conceived by EXMURO Arts Publics, and presented by the Ville de Quebec, this year’s iteration of PASSAGES INSOLITES aims to broaden perspectives and spark dialogue and reflection on today’s more prominent social issues.
Visitors to the PASSAGE EXTERIEUR circuit will see 18 outdoor projects in spaces such as the Old Port, Place Royale, and Petit Champlain. New for the 10th anniversary, the adjoining Retro Circuit provides a “walk down memory lane,” with photographs of well-known works from past years.
The PASSAGE INTERIEUR exhibitions can be viewed at 27 Rue Notre-Dame, the “epicentre” of the festival. There, five site-specific installations reflect the architectural and heritage context of the nearby historic Maison Hazeur on Place Royale.
The PASSAGE MURAL circuit breathes new life into Ilot Fleurie, a long-standing graffiti spot. The pillars of the Dufferin-Montmorency overpass will include artwork from 14 muralists, a joint project between Street Art in Action, Quebec Nova Murale, and EXMURO. It will extend beyond the closing of PASSAGES INSOLITES, to allow for as many people as possible to visit.
The PASSAGE EPHEMERE features a series of public art performances. Pop-up street performances and participatory installations will provide visitors with a more immersive experience, which organizers hope will evoke the wonderment of the event.
The programming philosophy of PASSAGES INSOLITES also values parity and diversity. The talents of Indigenous artists are prominently featured, with six Wendat artists and one Atikamekw artist.
“This 10th anniversary represents a turning point for EXMURO,” says Vincent Roy, co-executive and artistic director of EXMURO Arts Publics. “First, it is an opportunity to celebrate what PASSAGES INSOLITES has accomplished over the last decade by reflecting on how the event has evolved over 10 iterations. But it is also a chance to celebrate the many projects that lie ahead for us, and the event’s unlimited (and still untapped) creative potential. In the end, what these 10 years have taught us is that locals and visitors in Quebec City crave the surprising and the extraordinary, and we at EXMURO have many more years’ worth of invigorating surprises in store.”
