An open-air art gallery in the heart of Montreal

The project’s implementation is part of the desire of officials from various levels of government – a group called the Alliance for downtown Montreal – to relaunch commercial and tourist activities in the heart of the Quebec metropolis after two years of pandemic.

The OXY gallery will be placed on land left vacant following the fire of an abandoned building, which until 2016 housed Club Super Sexe, a remnant of Montreal’s era Red Light district known for its impressive façade. kitsch decorated with neon lights.

Glenn Castanheira, the new executive director of the non-profit organization Montréal Center-Ville, had the idea of combine business with pleasure by proposing to Alexandre Berthiaume to change it wart in a public space dedicated to artistic expression.

OXY Gallery aims to enhance the experience of downtown visitors, whether residents, merchants, retailers, workers or tourists.said Glenn Castanheira in an interview with Radio-Canada.

Digital and physical works

Approximately 40 artists were invited to display their work at the OXY gallery, which will feature both physical works and digital art screenings 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Access is free at all times. time.

The artistic installations on display will be renewed each season.

” It’s an open-air art gallery, all white, illuminated at night, vibrant by day. “

OXY is in a way a new, more detailed version of another Montreal outdoor gallery, Blanc, built by Alexandre Berthiaume and his box Futile design at Gay Village in 2017, and is mainly focused on photographic exhibitions.

It should be noted that, in addition to the OXY gallery announcement, the Alliance for downtown Montreal announced on Monday other projects underway, particularly the installation of light installations intended to highlight architectural heritage of the city center next winter.

These initiatives were funded by a three million dollar envelope provided by the Government of Quebec for the lighting of downtown Montreal.