“This is beautiful, this is art” – Pig Destroyer.

This is my first year curating Art POP. My goal from the start was to bring together some of today’s most intriguing and dynamic artists, not only from Montreal, but from other parts of Canada and the world. One of the most exciting elements this year is that much of the work examines the interaction between the individual and mass culture, in particular personal relationships to popular culture. For example, the Art POP exhibitions at POP Quarters will be introduced through the Vito Acconci video piece Theme Song. This work, made in 1973, looks at music that centered around the individual, in particular the singer songwriters of the 70s like Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan.

Also at POP Quarters is the installation o F F LOVE FAN ART BEDROOM, which references the pop stars of the 80s and 90s in the form of a teenage fan’s bedroom, an obsessed fan of o F F Love. I am also very excited for the group exhibition You’ll Dance to Anything at POP Quarters. This exhibition brings together four artists (Charles Gagnon, Margaret Haines, Robb Jamieson, and Shawn Kuruneru) who all have ties to Montreal, and who engage with popular culture, elements of technology and music by creating work that examines specific instances of these elements up-close, often re-situating them outside of their traditional function.

The vernissage for You’ll Dance to Anything and o F F Love FAN ART BEDROOM is on Friday, Sep 21st between 6-9 pm. Come meet the artists, have some beers, and check out a special performance by o F F Love! If you happen to miss the opening you can still stop by anytime between 11am-8pm from Sep 19-23 to see the exhibitions.

Another exhibition that I am really excited about is The Art of “The Suburbs”,” which re-unites the creative team (Caroline Robert, Vincent Morisset, Gabriel Jones) behind the album art for Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs.” The exhibition takes place place at Nomad Industries (129 Van Horne) from Sep 21-23, between 2-7pm and we have arranged a special vernissage on Thursday Sep 20th from 6-9pm with drinks and a chance to meet the artists. Stop in, have some beers and check out this very interesting exhibition!

Another major inclusion in Art POP this year is a continuation on the theme of relationships to popular culture. I am very excited to co-present, together with Centre PHI and DHC/ART, a performance by the duo lucky dragons from Los Angeles. lucky dragons work with performer and audience interactions through new technologies and they are two of the most vital, and exciting artists working today. This event takes place at Centre PHI (407 rue Saint-Pierre), on Sunday Sep 23rd at 5pm ($15). It is simply a must see!

If you are interested in lucky dragons there is also an opportunity to hear them speak during a panel conversation co-presented with POP Symposium on DIY/DIT. This panel will also include Brooklyn-based Edan Wilber and Joe Ahearn. DIY/DIT takes place at POP Quarters on Sep 22nd from 5.30-7pm.

I am also pleased to present a special one day projection of the piece 1-2-3-4 by Swedish artist Alexander Gutke at Espace POP, Saturday Sep 22 12-8pm, and a special performance/installation by The World Provider and Philippe Blanchard at the Peaches DJ Extravaganza/Venus X show at Eglise POP. It’s $20, starts at 11.00pm and will most likely be a crazy party!! Get your tickets here!

All Art POP events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified. We have something happening every night of the festival and I’ve programmed everything so that nothing can be missed!

Please come out and enjoy, it is going to be an amazing festival!

Sincerely,

Johanna Heldebro
Art POP Curator