As part of the 2016 International Digital Art Biennial (BIAN) of Montreal, digital artist Manuel Chantre will unveil Monday March 11, 2013. This series of works will be exhibiting from May 31 to June 19 at the Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension. A vernissage will be held on May 30 at 6 p.m. Manuel Chantre’s work has been featured in internationally renowned institutions such as the Mapping Festival (CH), the Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] (CA), Mois Multi (CA), Elektra (CA), Mutek (CA), File (BR) and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (TW).

The series Monday March 11, 2013 was created from photo and video data collected from a lost cell phone. Through sculpture, video and engraving, Chantre takes a critical and poetic look at our confidence in the personal data stored in our mobile phones. Guided by his studies in anthropology, he is interested in how cultural norms are constructed; the way communication technology transforms society and individuals. Through this work, he seeks to present these cultural norms through a new lens, offering new ways to look at our own culture. The first sculpture in the series is composed of non-functional telephone parts presented in a geometric configuration of transparent, fluorescent and mirrored plexiglass plates. Three faces are visible. The memory card is suspended in the centre of the sculpture. The work reproduces infinite images through its mirror effect, like copied data, hidden and visible from many locations simultaneously. 

“I let the data from this phone run aground right before the eyes of the person who is looking at the work,” explains Chantre who did not contact the owner of the phone. According to the artist, “Digital data exists on its own. Once captured by phones, it is transmitted to the Web and communication networks. Like a bottle in the sea, out of view of the sender, it travels long distances before it resurfaces.”

This series began in winter 2015 as part of the program Culture à l’école by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications.

About Manuel Chantre 

Born in Québec City in 1978, Manuel Chantre creates installations, performances and sculptures by integrating digital art, music and visual arts. He is interested in the deconstruction of cultural symbols to create works at the crossroads of sensory experience, fiction and commentary. His works are co-produced and presented by renowned international institutions in media art. Chantre is also an education program developer, teacher and lecturer for the [SAT|, many high schools, colleges and universities in Canada and Colombia (SENA). He is currently developing an interactive light sculpture with Optech, an optics research centre in Montreal.

Monday March 11, 2013 by Manuel Chantre

As part of the 2016 International Digital Art Biennial of Montreal 

May 31 to June 19, 2016

Vernissage May 30 at 6 p.m.

Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension

421, rue Saint-Roch, Montréal