Montreal

Subterms

    Latest story

    138 Shares189 Views

    “ORB” by SpY in Montreal, Canada, After Its Debut in Egypt

    by

    SpY’s stunning “ORB” sculpture, which first captivated audiences at the Pyramids of Giza, has found a new home in Montreal’s Place des Arts. This work, blending formal simplicity with deep symbolism, explores the relationship between art, history, and urban space. The transition from the ancient Egyptian site to a modern cultural hub emphasizes its universal appeal, allowing it to engage with diverse environments and audiences.At the heart of “ORB” is the reimagining of a common urban object—the convex traffic mirror. By multiplying and arranging these mirrors into a spherical pattern, SpY transforms a mundane feature of city life into a thought-provoking work of art. The mirrored surface reflects its surroundings and viewers, creating an ever-changing interaction that evolves throughout the day, prompting contemplation on how art influences and is influenced by urban spaces.Drawing inspiration from Egyptian history, “ORB” references the mathematical and symbolic elements found in the Pyramids. The spherical form hints at the relationship between the Pyramid’s geometry and the concept of ‘pi,’ tying the sculpture to ancient mathematical principles. This connection extends to the circular mirror, a symbol in Egyptian culture linked to the sun, creation, and rebirth.The installation in Montreal highlights the sculpture’s ability to resonate in different contexts, reinforcing its status as a universal artistic symbol. Its reflective surface captures fragments of the city and its inhabitants, inviting viewers to engage in a deeper reflection on their connection to the environment and each other.“ORB” was part of the exhibition Forever Is Now II, organized by Culturvator Art D’Égypte in collaboration with UNESCO. The exhibition juxtaposes ancient heritage with contemporary art, exploring themes that transcend time and encourage us to imagine the future of humanity.Check out more photos of “ORB” in Montreal, Canada, and Egypt below! More

    More stories

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Art

      Art and Activism Collide Throughout Montréal in Playful Street Interventions by Roadsworth

      by

      
      Art

      #activism
      #animals
      #Montréal
      #public art
      #site-specific
      #street art

      February 9, 2021
      Grace Ebert

      All images © Roadsworth, shared with permission
      Crosswalks become perches and bike lanes morph into a monkey’s ropes in Roadsworth’s lively street interventions. For decades, the Montréal-based artist (previously) has been altering sidewalks, alleyways, and other public spots with largely nature-based projects that are informed by social issues and environmental crises. Whether a trippy koi pond or a simple yellow spider, the additions transform otherwise drab streets into unexpected commentary.
      In recent years, Roadsworth has created large-scale projects for a variety of organizations, including revitalizing a basketball court for a social housing complex and another for Amnesty International that comments on the horrors of the refugee crisis. Beyond commissions, he continues guerilla street art tactics, installing oversized birds, insects, and other animals that often are overlooked.
      The artist tells Colossal that these works reflect his “philosophy in regards to public art/street art which implies a questioning of urban space in general and an entreaty to rethink a city that is more conducive to walking/cycling and less dominated by cars, etc. The depiction of various animals is a playful way of reinventing the notion of urban space.”
      Follow Roadsworth on Instagram to keep up with his site-specific works that merge art and activism.

      “Refugee Crisis” (2016)

      “Darling Foundry Koi Pond” (2020)
      Right: “Tree Lace” (2019)
      Detail of “Refugee Crisis” (2016)

      “Nurture vs Nature” (2018)

      #activism
      #animals
      #Montréal
      #public art
      #site-specific
      #street art

      Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member and support independent arts publishing. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, help support our interview series, gain access to partner discounts, and much more. Join now!

       
      Share this story
        More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Street Art

      “The Haretoise” & “The Ladybug” by AlfAlfA in Alberta and Quebec, Canada

      by

      Street artist AlfAlfAl recently just finished a series of murals across Canada. His artworks usually showcases animal-human hybrids, using a collage style to create otherworldly, mythical beings.

      b-sm = none; sm > 728×90;
      b-sm = 300×250; sm > none;

      His mural entitled “The Haretoise” located at Calgary, Alberta is an invitation to find your own speed, to walk at your own rhythm and pace. The mural is inspired by Aesop’s fable “The Hare and the Tortoise”, taking it as a starting point, but posing it as a non-oppositive duality- presenting it as a whole, or as two faces of the same coin.

      Nicolas Sanchez (AKA AlfAlfA) is a Venezuelan artist now based in Toronto. He began his artistic studies at an early age and later found a focus on mural painting in Uruguay at the School of Beaux Arts. He has supplemented his formal education through international art residencies and commissions, and has spent 4 years travelling the world, painting in 3 continents and 25 countries.
      AlfAlfA considers himself a draftsman, using techniques based on vintage etchings and engravings, with a particular focus on the perspectival effects of variations of the thickness of lines. His artwork is meant to evoke humour through its irony; a reflection of our own condition as human beings.
      Check out below to see more photos of his work.

      “The Ladybug” by AlfAlfA in Montreal, Quebec More