Montreal, October 5, 2023 – The immersive show RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature will be presented from February 13 to March 10, 2024, at Les 7 Doigts studios, a warm and intimate venue where audience members will be able to see the acrobats and the master’s works up close.
RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature will culminate the centenary celebrations of Jean Paul Riopelle in the artist’s hometown, Montreal. This extraordinary production will offer the general public a journey into the heart of Riopelle’s work and the nature that always inspired him.
Thanks to the technologies of 360° video projection, infrared motion capture, and sound spatialization, Les 7 Doigts studio will be transformed into a true immersive image box that will evoke Riopelle’s vast studios, the magnificent landscapes he frequented, and present monumental works. The public will also have the opportunity to admire original works by the artist in the reception lobby.
Lasting 70 minutes, the show is built around emblematic works from different artistic periods of Riopelle’s life, also allowing for the discovery of lesser-known works. From the artist’s introspective gaze on the eve of creating Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg, the flights of the owl and the wild goose lead us on a formidable odyssey through Riopelle’s abundant creative universe.
Presented in collaboration with TOHU, RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature is a creation by Les 7 Doigts co-founder and artistic director Samuel Tétreault, who has notably directed shows such as Bosch Dreams, inspired by the painter Hieronymus Bosch; Vice & Vertu, presented at SAT for Montreal’s 375th anniversary; and Carry Me Home, the world’s first multi-reality circus show.
” My first encounter with Jean Paul Riopelle’s work dates back to October 1993, during the opening of Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg at my father’s gallery. I was nineteen years old and a student at the National Circus School at the time. I remember the excitement of the event, Riopelle’s rare presence, and that monumental fresco which greatly impressed me. The creation of RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature is, in a way, a return to my roots for me, an extraordinary opportunity to combine my passions to celebrate the life, work, and creative genius of this Quebec artistic giant who ranks among the greatest. ” – Samuel Tétreault, co-founder and artistic director, Les 7 doigts de la main
RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature is a universal ode to creativity and wild beauty that will inspire both novices and enthusiasts of circus and visual arts. The show is an invitation to explore one’s own imagination by cultivating closer ties with nature.
The Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation provides its valuable support to this ambitious production. ” Jean Paul Riopelle’s centenary is a constellation of artistic disciplines uniting across Quebec, Canada, and the world to pay tribute to one of our greatest visual artists of all time. Combining circus and visual arts, this brand new production promises to dazzle the public while celebrating Riopelle’s artistic legacy and creative genius, who was himself a great admirer of circus arts. The Riopelle Foundation is therefore very proud to partner with the wonderful team of Les 7 Doigts as co-producer of this unique event. ” Manon Gauthier, Executive Director of the Riopelle Foundation and General Commissioner of the artist’s centenary celebrations
RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature features 5 talented circus artists: Claire Hopson, Saali Kuata, Arthur Morel, Guillaume Paquin, and Camille Tremblay. The work of several designers dear to Les 7 Doigts will be recognized: Olivier Landreville for set design (Pub Royal, Le Murmure du Coquelicot, Cadence, En Panne), Colin Gagné for musical direction (Mon île mon coeur, Passagers, Réversible, Vice & Vertu), and Camille Thibault Bédard for costume design (Triptyque, Vice & Vertu, Passagers). Playwright and author Marie-Christine Lê-Huu, along with Thomas Payette from mirari studios (multimedia content creation and production) and Supply + Demand (multimedia system integration), will join the creative team to ensure an unforgettable experience. Les 7 Doigts are currently planning a national and international tour for this magnificent show.
Accommodating 125 spectators, the image box that will come to life at Les 7 Doigts studios offers an intimate and unique opportunity to dive into this immersive universe. Tickets for RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature will go on sale today at 10 AM on 7doigts.com and tohu.ca.
From February 13 to March 10, 2024
Les 7 Doigts Studios
2111, Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Tickets available on 7doigts.com and tohu.ca