Festival Art Souterrain

As part of the exhibition Comfort and Indifference: Recent Acquisitions by the MAC, presented at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, we invite you to a guided tour with Mark Lanctôt, curator of the exhibition and curator responsible for the collection at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal. Don’t miss this opportunity—the exhibition closes on May 3!

About the exhibition

In a united show of support for Quebec’s vibrant contemporary art scene, the MMFA and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) are coming together for a special exhibition. This selection of works acquired by the MAC between 2020 and 2025 spans a wide range of subjects and mediums to examine the notions of comfort and indifference in view of the state of the world.

The exhibition’s title comes from Denys Arcand’s critical and lucid documentary, Comfort and Indifference (1981). The film shows the events preceding and following the first referendum on Quebec independence in May 1980 and emphasizes the ways in which many Quebecers at the time, preoccupied with their own search for material comfort, remained indifferent to their political agency. Today, in the face of global crises, the title takes on new meaning and speaks volumes: What does it take to transform the privilege of apathy, maintained by the consumerism and inaction it creates, into a clear-sighted engagement sustained by a sense of empathy and solidarity?

Presenting this selection of works made by twenty-two Quebec artists in one exhibition space allows for new perspectives on their subject matter and formal characteristics, while also underscoring the MAC’s involvement in the community of artists who were born or have worked in Quebec.

About the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

As the largest art museum in Montreal, the MMFA is one of the city’s main attractions and one of Canada’s most visited museums. Its vast collection of some 47,000 works offers a sweeping exploration of art history, from antiquity to today, through unique displays of archeological objects, masterworks by Rodin, Monet and Rembrandt, and works of Indigenous art, decorative art and design, and Quebec and Canadian art. Year after year, the Museum presents world-class exhibitions, along with cultural events and activities that appeal to people of all ages and interests. Whether you’re an art lover or just curious, the MMFA promises you an unforgettable experience.

About the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal

For over 60 years, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) has brought together Québec and international artists, their work, and diverse audiences, championing art as an essential part of life in Montréal and across Québec. While its home in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles is undergoing a major architectural transformation, the Museum is temporarily housed at Place Ville Marie, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
As preparations intensify for the opening of the new MAC at Place des Arts, exhibitions at Place Ville Marie have come to an end. Instead, the space now hosts cohorts of Habiter le MAC, a one-of-a-kind support program for emerging artists from across Québec.
During this transition, the Museum continues to offer a vibrant public program, including cultural and educational activities, creative workshops, artist talks, lectures, and special events.
Learn more: www.macm.org/en
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