The Triennale Banlieue group exhibition is back!

Laval, April 4, 2022 —The Triennale Banlieue! returns for its^thirdedition under the theme “Interregnum: Coexisting in the Territory,” from July 31 to October 30. With a revamped format, this contemporary art event presented by the Salle Alfred-Pellan at the Maison des arts de Laval invites the public to more than thirty free activities taking place at ten venues across the region. These activities will explore the presence of nature in suburban areas and the dynamics linking human settlements and natural ecosystems.

“I invite the residents of Laval to take part in this unifying event, which will be held throughout the city. The Triennale Banlieue! offers an artistic experience while bringing people together through participatory, interactive artworks. Together, we will be invited to reflect on the unique characteristics of the suburbs and our relationship with nature and our ecosystems, while raising awareness of major environmental issues.”

• Alexandre Warnet, associate member of the executive committee, city council member for Laval-des-Rapides, and responsible for environmental issues, social innovation, and citizen engagement

“I am delighted to see the return of this unique initiative, which makes culture accessible to all Laval residents, helps raise our city’s profile, and makes it a place of exceptional cultural vibrancy. I invite residents to come out in large numbers to discover contemporary art from here and elsewhere and to join the conversation on the challenges of coexistence within our community. This is all the more relevant right now, as we have been led in recent years to rediscover our immediate surroundings.”

• Flavia Alexandra Novac, City Councilmember of Sainte-Rose and Director of Cultural Affairs

Spotlight on the Referee Team and Discipline

Marie Perrault served as curator for this unique event, which features a group exhibition of contemporary art. Each year, a different discipline is invited to foster an open dialogue on the theme. This year, the event explores the connections between the visual arts and geography, with contributions from co-curator Yan Romanesky, a geographer.

Artists and Scientific Committee

The Triennale Banlieue! Interrègnes brings together 19 artists from Quebec, Canada, and France whose practices explore the role of nature in North American suburbs. Some works prompt reflection on the relationship between suburban life and nature, focusing on the natural, developed, brownfield, and agricultural spaces found in the suburbs. Other works take over the Laval area and its public spaces to be realized or activated in collaboration with residents.

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

More than 30 activities on the program 

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

This event is made possible thanks to the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications.
Additional information

The names of the participating artists will be announced in May.

Visit the Maison des arts de Laval website for more information about the event and to view the experts’ biographies. 

Caption: Scenocosme, Pulsations, 2013 –present.

Photo credit: Scenocosme