Dragons in pursuit of the Moon by Karen Tam © Rémi Hermoso
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and the Marché de Nuit Asiatique have unveiled a luminous work in the streets of Chinatown. On the fringes of COP15, which takes place at the Palais des congrès, Montrealers and visitors are invited to discover until March 2023, Dragons in pursuit of the Moon, a suspended outdoor art installation by artist Karen Tam. This project is part of the Moments of Light in the Heart of the Island, an initiative set up to enrich the winter experience downtown.
Described by the artist as ” joyful and light “, the installation consists of a multitude of floating panels, inspired by Chinese cut-out papers, which wrap around the streetlights of De La Gauchetière Street, in colours associated with the Lunar New Year: pink, yellow, orange and red. Tiger, rabbit, snake and other Chinese lucky symbols unfold above passers-by. The work culminates in Sun-Yat-Sen Square, illuminated by string lights, where the “dragon’s head” is represented by three large circular rings hanging.
“The idea behind this installation was to create a dragon-lit suspended path on De La Gauchetière Street in Chinatown, to bring visitors to the three rings or dragon’s head located at Sun-Yat Sen Square for Lunar New Year celebrations. This is the winter companion to my summer installation Wish Tree (2021), which paid tribute to the Chinatown community,” said Ms. Karen Tam, creator of the installation Dragons in Pursuit of the Moon.
“We are proud to have been able to contribute to this unifying project with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership. Karen Tam’s work, all in elegance and symbolism (Year of the Rabbit in the context of COP15 on biodiversity) adds a touch of beauty to Chinatown. We want to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2023 in a big way. This is an important moment for all the great Asian traditions. We continue to work hard to revitalize Chinatown. We are heading in the right direction!, ” added Ms. Yifang Eva Hu, Founder and General Manager of Night Market.
“Chinatown is an emblem of Montréal and one of the jewels of our city’s cultural heritage. It contributes to the many faces of the city and its economic vitality. We are delighted that Montrealers and downtown visitors will be able to discover its charms as part of the Moments of Light in the Heart of the Island,” said Monique Simard, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Dragons in pursuit of the Moon
A work by Karen Tam
Until March 2023
On De La Gauchetière Street and Sun-Yat-Sen Square, in Chinatown
The installation Dragons in Pursuit of the Moon is part of the Luminous Moments of the Heart of the Island initiative, which beautifies downtown Montreal all winter.
Find the complete program of the Moments lumineux du cœur de l’île online: lecoeurdelile.com
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CREDITS
A work by Karen Tam
Lighting design: Bruno Rafie Production and
assembly: Jack World and Raphaël Brien
A production of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and the Asian Night Market.
This installation is being presented as part of COP15 with the support of the Government of Canada and the National Arts Centre.
