Vernissage on September 21 at 6 p.m.
Montreal, September 5, 2017 – From September 21 to December 22, 2017, the Espace VERRE Gallery presents LUX, an exhibition of luminous works created by duos of glass artists and designers. With this show, haute couture artfully stands alongside industrial design, and each creator’s savoir-faire – whether as an artist, artisan, glass artist or designer – has ignited the creative spark within the pairs. Maryse Chartrand and François Charbonneau, Roxane Dupuis and Antoine Malouin, as well as Jean-Marie Giguère and Helmer Joseph present their respective visions, with the common desire to fully explore the potential of glass using light. On this 375th anniversary of Montréal, UNESCO City of Design, Espace VERRE is proud to showcase some of the brightest creative talents in town. The opening reception will be held in the presence of the artists and designers on Thursday, September 21 at 6 p.m.
For LUX, glass artist Maryse Chartrand of the MaryseC studio teamed up with the ingenious François Charbonneau to illuminate her fabulous blown glass creations. For Chartrand, who strives to encapsulate the ethereal within glass, the desire to bring light to her blown pieces has existed for a long time. This exhibition was the perfect occasion to light up the effervescence of her coloured works. The elegance of Charbonneau’s brass structures are the perfect complement to Chartrand’s luminous globes, transporting the spectator elsewhere, to an interplanetary world.
Through their illuminated sculptures, creative partners Roxane Dupuis and Antoine Malouin wanted to put forth their respective talents to celebrate the Montreal that they both love so dearly. Equipped with his experience in environmental design and the creation of custom light fixtures, Malouin sought to give life to Dupuis’ textured glass work by integrating devices emitting discreet luminous signals, reminiscent of the dance of fireflies and the relentless work of bees. Here the hive and its magnificent alveoli – fragile yet strong, just like glass – become a metaphor for our city that shines thanks to its vivacity, as well as from the common efforts of the people that make it come to life.
When glass artist Jean-Marie Giguère and fashion designer Helmer Joseph were paired up for the Verre couture fashion show in 2010, they were oblivious to the fact that this would be a fructuous moment that would impact their respective careers. Since their first collaborative work – a glass dress acclaimed by the public, now in the collection of the Musée de la civilisation –, they have continuously reinvented their joint endeavours and have pushed the limits of their art. With LUX they will integrate the crucial element of lighting to their work, always with the promise of splendor and sensuality.
Espace VERRE is a glass art school and creativity centre located at 1200 Mill Street in Montreal. The gallery is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as the last Sunday of each month from noon to 5 p.m. As of November 18, the gallery will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., concordantly with our Make Your Own Blown Glass Ornament activity. Admission is free of charge.
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Above:
Roxane Dupuis and Antoine Malouin, Incandescent Alveoli, Honey and Brass Collection | Photo: Antoine Malouin
Source:
Valérie Paquin, Communications Manager
communication@espaceverre.qc.ca
514 933-6849