Discover the spooky new mural in front of the MMFA
The work “Niamh” by artist Doras on avenue du Musée in Montreal.
Faithful to tradition, the Avenue du Musée takes on color during the summer season. This year, Niamh, a magnificent mural by Montreal artist Doras adorns the street, which has once again become a pedestrian area in front of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).
This ephemeral monumental composition, created on the road by the illustrator and muralist Doras (produced by MU), is inspired by a famous Irish legend as well as nature and ;time. These themes are developed in the exhibitionNicolas Party: L’heure mauve presented at this very moment at the MMFA.
Since 2013, the museum has called an artist or a Montreal collective to design an art installation on avenue du Musée, part of which is closed traffic during the summer.
At the invitation of the Museum, MU – the organization responsible for beautifying Montreal by creating murals rooted in local communities – has entrusted this mandate to Doras. The artist is recognized for his work which combines ornamental style and contemporary iconography.
Thanks to him, walkers will revisit the myth of Niamh and Oisín in Tír na nÓg, a paradise island almost sheltered from time where three years are worth three hundred years on earth. The 48-meter-long portrait that covers the avenue is that of Niamh – an immortal who, from her place of eternity, watches her mortal husband Oisín leave the island to return to a land he will no longer recognize. . Thus, it invites us to think about how we approach the passage of time.
Olivier Bousquet
Olivier Bousquet
Jean-François Savaria
Free activities on avenue du Musée
< p>In addition to hosting an ephemeral creation, the avenue du Musée will host many free multidisciplinary activities this summer. Story time, dance, musical performances, farmer's market, improvisation match, guided tours and more await you among the series of activities offered.
Wednesdays evening devoted to the living arts, from 5 p.m.:
- On June 22, Lexis, DJ and founder of Music Is My Sanctuary, and Tupi Collective, a duo recognized for their Brazilian sounds, promise to raise the mercury during the 5@7 Aire commune x MMFA, presented by the Festival international de Jazz de Montreal.
- On July 20, the legendary Ligue Nationale d'Improvisation (LNI) sets up its ring on avenue du Musée for an exciting improv match in French, which will bring together two actors, a musician and , of course, a referee.
- On August 3, the Quartiers Danses creation laboratory offers the public an evening of experimentation highlighting movement and contemporary dance.
- On August 17, Ohm Hourani in concert will perform Jazz of the Machine, an ambitious musical project at the crossroads of electronic music and free jazz.
Saturdays of discovery for young and old:
- On July 16, at 1 p.m., it time storytelling with Hamidou Savadogo. In collaboration with the International Festival Nuits d’Afrique, the artist accompanied by sa kora (a string instrument originating in Mali) offers a journey in words and in music.
- On July 30, at 11 a.m., Barbada and her friends from Drag Brunch MTL will parade on their dizzying heels along Musée Avenue. They will discover the joyful art of drag in a a playful & inclusive atmosphere.
- The August 27, at 11 a.m., the group Arashi Daiko will beat its taikos, traditional Japanese drums, as part of a performance mixing percussion, movements, voices and elements reminiscent of martial arts.On the last Tuesday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the stalls of the Petit Marché du Musée will stock up on seasonal fruits and vegetables, breads and pastries, and tasty savory and sweet pies, thanks to the collaboration Markets here. The Alvéole team will also be on hand to raise public awareness of the role of precious pollinating insects.
Outdoor guided tours:
Beautiful weather, bad weather, the MMFA offers two outdoor tours led by a volunteer guide from the Museum.
- Thursdays and Saturdays, “Let's talk architecture” invites you to discover the history and various architectural styles that characterize the oldest art museum in Canada.
- On Wednesdays and Sundays, Let sculpture features works by artists 'here and elsewhere which compose the Garden of sculptures of the Musée, one of the most important public art ensembles in Montreal.
