Eastern Bloc announces the opening of its new centre in Chabanel, with the launch of a new exhibition and its new lab and artist co-working space on January 22nd, 2022.
After almost two years of having no physical space, Eastern Bloc, the artist-run centre dedicated to supporting emerging digital artists in Montreal, is reopening its doors. The centre will welcome back its community to its brand new location in the Chabanel Sector of the District Central neighbourhood. Launching on Saturday the 22nd of January, Eastern Bloc will resume hosting exhibitions, workshops and residencies in its new home.
ABOUT THE MOVE
Beginning the moving process over two years ago, Eastern Bloc has been without a physical stronghold throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As a testament to the strength of the centre’s community, and as a sign of resilience when faced with unprecedented barriers, Eastern Bloc is finally able to welcome its community at its new home at 55 and 53 Rue de Louvain O, with a purpose-built gallery space at street level (53), and the lab (elab), workshop, artist co-working and staff offices on the 4th floor (55).
As of January 2022, Eastern Bloc will have officially completed its move from its original home in Parc-Extension to Montréal’s District Central neighbourhood. The gentrification and subsequent rent increases of the Parc-Extension area has pushed the organization to a new budding area of the city, an area of Montréal that somewhat resembles the diversity and vibrance of Parc-Extension back at Eastern Bloc’s founding. The District Central neighbourhood has come to attract artists from its community, moving for much of the same reasons: as a result, Eastern Bloc’s new address meets the changing needs of its artistic community.
Just off Saint Laurent Boulevard a ten minute walk from the Sauvé metro stop on the orange line, Eastern Bloc’s new gallery and lab, artist coworking and office space are located right in the heart of the District Central neighbourhood in the Chabanel Sector. Chabanel is Montréal’s historic fashion hub, renowned for its textile production and a vibrant industrial culture.
ABOUT THE NEW SPACE
In the heart of this innovative area, Eastern Bloc’s new space is two-fold; 53 Rue de Louvain O hosts a ground-floor gallery with an integrated bespoke bar, and 55 Rue de Louvain O, #480 is home to our bright co-working and lab space on the 4th floor.
Eastern Bloc’s new space is twofold; 53 Rue de Louvain O hosts a ground-floor gallery with an integrated bespoke bar, and 55 Rue de Louvain O, #480 is home to their bright co-working and lab space on the 4th floor. The gallery and office are both newly renovated with state-of-the-art facilities and an inspired design by In Situ Architectural Studio that reflects Eastern Bloc’s core DIY, community-centred spirit for which the construction management was ensured by LEM experts-conseils inc.
The gallery boasts a new contemporary look, with polished concrete floors and white walls, with movable walls for additional presentation space and a unique grid and lighting system. At over 1250 square feet, the new gallery space will host exhibitions, performances, workshops and talks throughout the year. This multipurpose gallery will be available to rent from 2022, with the Eastern Bloc team excited to offer the space and its support back to its community in the new year.
The fourth floor hosts Eastern Bloc’s new lab artist coworking space and staff offices. At 2500 square feet, the centre has greatly expanded its facilities for artist members, with a brand new lab facility and increased workshop and co-working space compared with its previous venue. The centre will soon be able to welcome more artist members and host more production residencies.
Along with the new space, Eastern Bloc welcomes a reestablished team;
General Direction (co-direction): Alicia Turgeon
Artistic Direction (co-direction): Cían Walsh
Production Coordination: Catherine Averback
Technical Coordination: Camille Desjardins
Lab Coordination: Nicolas Lapointe
Lab Tech.: Yannick Bédard
Logistic & Administrative Coordination: Rebecca Gekht
Communications Coordination: Maia Harris
