LE LABO BECOMES A VIRTUAL GALLERY.
For its 15th anniversary, Le Labo is launching an exhibition presented via an ephemeral and virtual museum, as part of the 25th edition of Scotiabank CONTACT 2021. The exhibition will be available online as of June 5, 2021: www.lelabo15.art
Conceived and produced by Le Labo – Toronto Media Arts Centre and its members, « Looking Back, Moving Forward » is, in the context of the pandemic, an invitation to introspect, to pause, to appreciate the artistic path we have taken over the past 15 years.
The year 2020 has taught us to pause, to look back carefully and to appreciate how far we have come in the past 15 years, and to move forward.
Throughout this process, one question remains: What positive impact has Le Labo had on artists in Toronto’s francophone community?
The exhibition highlights this history by forging links between Franco-Ontarian media art and this diverse and resilient community, paying tribute to it.
The year 2021 began on a positive course, looking back to create the future.
THE ARTISTS OF THE EXHIBITION
SAMUEL CHOISY
Samuel began his artistic education with music, he likes to describe himself as a painter of light. The quote that accompanies him in his practice: « Nothing is lost, nothing is created: everything is transformed » – Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier.
PASCALINE LEBRAS
Pascaline is a photographer with a passion for travel, formerly a nomad, she settled in Toronto in 2011. Since then, she has been in constant search of the best shot to capture the authenticity and beauty of everyday moments. Two years ago, her dream was to participate in the Scotiabank – CONTACT photography festival. She even put this wish on her vision board! In June 2021, this wish became reality!
The quote that goes with it is, « Photograph the world as it is, nothing is more interesting than reality. » Mary Ellen Mark
CLAUDE MARTEL
Claude, aka Tonnerre, is a creative artist, as dynamic as a battery, eager to exchange and share his photography, who since the beginning of his practice likes to learn the rules to better appropriate them, by changing them. So, when it’s time to share a quote that defines him in his practice, Claude immediately and without hesitation quotes another Claude: « The first rule is to disobey » by the French musician Debussy.
JOSEPH MUSCAT
A visual artist for 40 years, Joseph considers himself lucky to never run out of ideas and to always be so productive. Joseph began his career with oil and watercolor painting, and later moved on to photography, lithography, silkscreening and three-dimensional art installations. His trademark and his own definition of art is to « mix and hybridize different media together, always exploring and seeking new adventures ».
His favorite quote: « Where there is a will, there is a way« . Joseph loves nothing better than a challenge and when it comes to an artistic career,
this quote and what it represents is very important to him.
GENEVIÈVE THAUVETTE
Geneviève, alternately in front of and behind the camera, her mission is to direct herself while addressing serious subjects with humor. She likes to create art and works that make you think and dive into serious discourses, the important thing for her is to create works that are accessible to everyone. Her inspiration comes from current events, French-Canadian history, and there is always a feminist streak in her work, but underneath it all, what makes her happy is that she is able to convey what characterizes her above all else: humor and a great energy!
The quote she shares is in total adequacy with her personality: « Vivacious and tenacious ».
PAUL WALTY
Visual artist, book and computer fanatic, Paul likes to deconstruct, push the limits and undo any semblance of certainty and sharpness. Not surprisingly for this creative, word-loving man, with always a touch of humor, quotes these few words to define him as an artist: « To focus is an acquired taste. To blur is divine« .
Discover our exceptional teaser for this unique online exhibition :