Return of the group exhibition Triennale Banlieue!

Laval, April 4, 2022 -The Triennale Banlieue! returns for a^3rd edition under the theme Interrègnes "Cohabiter le territoire", from July 31 to October 30. Presented by the Salle Alfred-Pellan at the Maison des arts de Laval, the new format of this contemporary art event invites the public to more than 30 free activities at 10 venues across the region. These will focus on the presence of nature in the suburban territory and the dynamics that link human habitat and natural ecosystems.

"I invite Laval residents to take part in this unifying event, which will be held in the four corners of the city. The Triennale Banlieue! is an opportunity to experience the arts while getting to know one another through participatory relational works. Together, we'll be invited to reflect on the specificities of the suburbs and our relationship with nature and our ecosystems, while being made aware of major environmental issues."

• Alexandre Warnet, associate member of the executive committee, Laval-des-Rapides city councillor responsible for the environment, social innovation and citizen participation.

"I'm delighted to see the return of this original initiative, which makes culture accessible to all Laval residents, contributes to our city's reputation and makes it an island of exception. I invite the public to come and discover contemporary art from here and elsewhere, and to take part in the reflection on the challenges of cohabitation on the territory. This is all the more relevant at the present time, when we have been led in recent years to rediscover our immediate environment."

• Flavia Alexandra Novac, Sainte-Rose city councillor in charge of cultural affairs

Commissioning team and discipline in the spotlight

Marie Perrault is the curator of this unique event, which features a group exhibition of contemporary art. Each year, a different discipline is invited to encourage an open dialogue on the theme. This year, the event focuses on the interweaving of the visual arts and geography, with the contribution of co-curator, geographer Yan Romanesky.

Artists and scientific committee

The Banlieue! Interrègnes brings together 19 artists from Quebec, Canada and France, whose work echoes the place of nature in North American suburbs. Some of the works reflect on the binomial suburbanity and nature, around the question of natural, developed, fallow or agricultural spaces found in the suburbs. Other works invest the Laval territory and its frequented places to be realized or activated with the citizens.

These artistic proposals are approached through new expertise and perspectives, via the earth sciences, geography and biology. These were made possible by the contributions of Anaïs Boutin, biologist and Director of Protection and Conservation for Éco-Nature/Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Louis Tremblay, physical geographer and Director of Urban Planning and Environment for the City of Lorraine, Samuel Descôteaux-Fréchette, urban planner and general coordinator and project manager for the firm L'Arpent, and Antonius Petro, biologist and scientific co-director at Regeneration Canada.

Over 30 activities on the program 

The Banlieue! triennial will take place at the Maison des arts de Laval, Éco-Nature/Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Centre de la nature, Centre Laval and Théâtre du bout de l'île. The program includes a variety of activities: creative workshops, round tables, walks, discussions and performances are proposed by curators, artists, scientists and the team at the Salle Alfred-Pellan at the Maison des arts de Laval.

The event is made possible with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec.
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The names of the participating artists will be announced in May.

Visit the Maison des arts de Laval website for more information on the event and to consult the experts' biographies. 

Bas de vignette: Scenocosme, Pulsations, 2013 to present.

Photo credit: Scenocosme