Printemps numérique as Seen by...

They all care deeply about the development of the digital-arts industry. Here are the views of Marie Brassard, Monique Simard, Alain Mongeau, Nadine Gelly and Martin Messier on Printemps numérique, the season of 150

events.

Marie Brassard, actress, artistic director and spokesperson for

Printemps numérique. Why is Montréal the capital of

digital arts? Different organizations have contributed to this effervescence. Montréal has always been a city interested in novelty, contemporary art and the development of new technologies. In Québec, people mix; music and art create fertile ground. Printemps numérique in

three words: new, stirring and futuristic.

Favourite fields of activity:

visual arts connected to

digital arts are especially fascinating to her, and she is also a music lover. Expectations for

the season: she expects to

be surprised, to see many new things and above all to

learn.

Monique Simard, president of SODEC.

Why is Montréal the capital of digital arts?

All the better if it is declared so; there is a concentration of exceptional and sometimes little-known talent in

our own city. Printemps numérique in

three words: avant-garde,

diversity, daring. Favourite fields

of activity: she loves interactive

outdoor works. Expectations for the

season: that more people discover Printemps numérique and that Montrealers appreciate the program.

Alain Mongeau, founder and

director of Mutek. Why is Montréal the

capital of digital arts? There is a critical

mass that exists and is the result of ten to fifteen years of work. Our tradition has created a context in which many projects can take root. Printemps numérique in three words:

long live spring. Favourite fields of activity: he

speaks for his

own parish, tracking the

sources of creativity in this field that never run dry. If spring can help define this phenomenon and encourage it, the mission will be accomplished. Expectations for the season: it will

be interesting to observe the

links that can be woven and what will result from them.

Nadine Gelly, director general of

La Vitrine culturelle. Why is Montréal the capital

of digital arts? Because Quebecers, and particularly people

in Montréal, are creative, with immense imagination, and digital technology is the result. Printemps numérique in three words: gathering,

creativity, energy. Favourite fields of activity:

without a doubt,

projection; the 2-22 is

very strong for that. She also loves music and digital architecture. Expectations for the season: more connections among digital

actors, and that the general

public understand what Printemps numérique is, especially that there be a third edition.

Martin Messier, artist, musician and spokesperson for Printemps numérique. Why is Montréal the

capital of digital arts? There is already more than

one digital-arts festival, which is quite something for

a city. Not to mention the permanent venue of the SAT, which gives a root and is very strong symbolically. Montréal has a strong creative industry. It is surprising; we are recognized for it, and when travelling we often hear about it. Printemps numérique in three words: gathering,

technology and 2015. Favourite fields of

activity: what interests him

most is being surprised,

and he does not yet know where that will happen. Expectations for the season: he hopes to

see real, tangible development; when

speaking to the public in two or three years, people will know what digital arts are without having to define and explain them.