A portfolio of Kelly Richardson’s work will feature in VIEW Magazine out this month, from September 16.
After Special Brasil and Belgium No Comment, Made in Quebec is the third special issue of View. It has none of the usual columns or headlines, just a few select prints taken from different photographic fields. Presenting a country was not the starting point for our eighth offering. On the other hand, realising that an other photography existed, thanks to meeting the artists themselves and through a separate event and a relatively specific thematic axis, has been one of the inspiring factors for the issue you see before you.
The biennial Montreal-based Mois de la Photo celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Ten years of discovery and open-mindedness, theoretical questions and thoughts on the position of the image and ways it can be read: this was the ideal occasion for View to present a preview of Quebecois artists. This event – and not a “festival” as the current administrative director, Chuck Samuels, likes to remind us – has invited an external commissioner to decide the content for the third consecutive year. Marie Fraser, who holds a PhD in the history of art and lectures at the University of Montreal, invites us to view her original way to Replaying Narrative, which is a theme she developed herself during her research. Counting, among the choice attractions, an international conference on “The future of the image” (with participation from François Hébel, from the Rencontres d’Arles, Diane Edkins, from the Aperture magazine and publishing, or Brian Wallis, director of Exhibitions at International Center for Photography,…), the Biennale introduces artists from around the globe; View preferred to focus on Quebecois artists who mainly specialise in photography. As this year’s Mois de la Photo has a stunning amount of video-work and video-installations…! A new, plentiful and glossy illustration of the growing complexity of the issue of photographic genres (artistic, documentary, journalistic, advertising…) and the fusion of languages, supports and techniques. Vogue and fashion special effects, sometimes: extreme mutations and crucial strategic questions, for the foremost. Montreal becomes even more alive and vibrant, offering a lively invitation to discover many hidden gems and also serious debates surrounding the images everywhere we look…
It was in 1989 and thanks to the initiative of Marcel Blouin and his associates at Vox (Centre de diffusion de la photographie, founded a few years previously) that the first Mois de la Photo came into being. He was inspired by the Paris celebration of Mois de la Photo and strongly encouraged by the famous Fotofest in Houston. This initial biennial international contemporary photography event in Canada was devoted to, took shape and also breathed life into the Canadian photo world. It is remarkable that in Quebec, and more generally in Canada, government support and its direct involvement in the arts and creativity is important, even intrinsic and in fact, is taken for granted. There are no cultural events of any kind (exhibitions, conferences, artists’ residences, book or magazine publishing etc…) without vital support from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (Quebec Arts and Literary Council), Culture or Communications Ministers, Ministers for Women or many others …! A great deal of centres with close links to photography have sprung up owing to the involvement of the various players and partners – a good example to be followed!
This eighth edition naturally does not aim to rival the impressive catalogue published on the spot regarding these Replaying Narrative. This is a snapshot – a taster – of the fascinating artists showcased during the demonstration, but also those whose work (often combined with cinema and video) is still easy to adapt to a magazine which is still, above all, “about photography”. A “what’s hot” selection of artists at Le Mois de la Photo, is complemented by a “what’s not” exclusive to View, which aims to present a supplementary array of experienced Quebecois artists and their current work, namely exhibitions and publications etc… Each of them has accepted to play the game – as over there art studies are often combined with university and theory modules – to introduce themselves and throw themselves into a text or narrative which, if applicable, marries the narrative dimension with their work. The selection and the reduced number of pages (three per artist) will disappoint many but we hope that the overall look reflects the richness and diversity of disciplinary approaches in this country, which is related to ours in more ways than one.
Alongside this extensive postcard from Quebec (a card jam-packed full of information nevertheless!..), View celebrates its second birthday – and at this point, we thank you dear friends and readers, for accompanying us on this fascinating journey. To foster any narrative hanging in breath-taking suspense, and also to keep hoping that the adventure will continue, the magic formula is henceforth a classic: “To be continued…”! Happy reading!
Stephan De Broyer & Emmanuel d’Autreppe
My journey to Quebec, meeting the photographers, and this special edition would not have come about along the way, without the valued participation of the BIJ (National Youth Bureau of the CFWB) and the General Delegation of Quebec; nor without the cheeriness and legendary (but definitely all-encompassing) style of Quebecois hospitality; nor the trust of artists I met out there, who shared their images generously and fuelled this issue; nor without the help and wholehearted support of Le Mois de la Photo team, nor the director of Vox who guided me so advisedly and helped with my research. I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of them, as individuals and collectively.
Stephan De Broyer
