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Broccolini holding art contest for Radio-Canada exterior – Daily Commercial News

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Quebec-based builder Broccolini has launched a public art contest inviting artists to submit ideas to cover a massive outdoor wall at its $140-million Maison Radio-Canada project in Montreal.

The idea of creating public art to honour the heritage of the waterfront neighbourhood was hatched by the City of Montreal at the inception of the project. Broccolini’s director of marketing and communications Jean Langlois noted the sector has a centuries-old history, including a period when the neighbourhood was called the Faubourg a m’lasse — the molasses precinct.

That community, with thousands of residents and numerous restaurants and factories, was razed in 1963 to make way for the first Radio-Canada headquarters, now being replaced.

The contest call went out Dec. 9 and the deadline for submissions is Jan. 15.

“So far the response has been incredible,” said Langlois. “There has been lots of interest, lots of good comments, there are people who are sending us messages, ‘great idea, I know this artist.’

“I think it is a great thing, it involves the community in a building that is going to be iconic in Montreal.”

The canvass — the windowless wall on the Principal Studio building — measures 665 square metres. The four-storey building is located on Rue Alexandre-DeSeve not far from Rene Levesque Boulevard East, within sight of the Jacques Cartier Bridge and the old Molson Brewery plant that was sold this year for redevelopment.

The story goes that the Faubourg a m’lasse designation came from the sweet smell of molasses stored in barrels in the busy waterfront area, aromas that mixed with emissions from the brewery and the Canada Rubber plant in the area.

Broccolini produced an extensive heritage report for the contestants to study, with images of old buildings such as the Ecole ville-marie, the maison Hubert Lacroix, Clark’s packing house, workshops and foundries all potential inspiration.

The once thriving area suffered a decline in recent decades but it’s on the rise again, Langlois said.

“The neighbourhood has not always been the nicest, it lacked a little love, but there is a revitalization going on with the new CBC building a part of that and the Molson site is going to be redeveloped too. We want to give back access to the waterfront to the citizens,” he said.

The expansive broadcast centre site, extending to Papineau Avenue, was designed to be a beacon for the public, said Langlois, as part of the broader community rebirth. The architect was Olivier Legault of the firm Beique Legault Thuot and he will sit on the four-person jury that will select the winning artistic vision.

“The statement that is being made from the CBC, they wanted something open to the community,” Langlois explained. “There is a space where people can gather, you can see right through the main lobby from Papineau so they wanted it to feel welcoming to the public.

“The old facility was dark, this one is all windows, open spaces. In the lobby you can see right into the two major radio studios. We wanted to feel close to the community.”

The build was very quick. Construction launched in 2017 after approval from the federal treasury board. There was limited excavation, speeding the process. Broccolini will hand over the keys any time now, Langlois said, but Radio-Canada will take its time moving in because of new communications technology being employed that will require ample testing.

“We had a huge team on the project, it is something we were proud of,” he said. “It was an honour to have been chosen, design-wise and for our ability to deliver the project. We were going to make sure we did not disappoint.”

Meanwhile, the community will be sitting back as Broccolini works with the winning artist on the art installation. Langlois expects it to be completed without delay next year but right now there is a big unknown — what form the vision will take.

The jury will select three finalists, each of whom will receive $ 3,500 for their proposal. The selected artist will be paid for the creation of their work.

“Implementing this will depend on what is submitted and chosen,” he said. “Depending on the medium and the vision of the artist, that will figure into when it is going to be up on the building. But the sooner the better.”

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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