Printemps numérique Returns in Force

Here we go. For^its second edition, Printemps numérique 2015 offers a bouquet of 150 events, many of which include a host of activities designed to better present the diversity of Montréal digital creativity and major international trends. Its program will be unveiled this evening at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal before more than 300 people.

With this second edition, Printemps numérique is experiencing phenomenal growth, almost doubling the scope of its 2014 program, which included 77 events. Montréal is full of renowned artists in the digital field, as well as production and presentation organizations and companies with international reputations. In total, 115 organizations are working together to present this second edition. It is a movement of unprecedented scale.

Montréal is the North^American capital of digital arts. In the world, it ranks third for video-game production and is the fourth largest hub for the visual-effects industry. Steve Foster, second vice-president of the Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) de Montréal, stated that there is growing awareness of Montréal’s position as a global centre of excellence in digital creativity. Among the public, enthusiasm is growing for the effervescence of Montréal’s digital scene, which is generating increasingly original and spectacular works at high speed.

John Zeppetelli, director and chief curator of the Musée d’art contemporain, emphasized that digital art is, in his view, a fully established and accomplished art form that is taking an increasing place in the practice of contemporary artists and at the MAC. As both medium and message, this art form expresses the concerns, questions and hopes of the moment in a contemporary and striking language. The MAC is proud to participate in this edition of Printemps numérique by welcoming, for the second consecutive year, Mutek and Elektra, two illustrious ambassadors of digital creation in Montréal.

From March 21 to June 21, Printemps numérique highlights interactive spaces, visual and sound performances, immersive experiences, 3D productions, cutting-edge electronic music, installations, openings, conferences, art-and-industry networking activities and international-calibre events aimed at both newcomers and digital enthusiasts. From the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium to Piknic Électronik, through MUTEK, the Elektra 16 International Digital Art Festival and the International Symposium on Immersion and Experience IX 2015, Printemps numérique promises to berich in discoveries and pleasures.

The video-game component expands significantly in 2015. It will be possible to take part in playtests with creators through the Espace ludique. In addition, a large-scale Game Jam, mobilizing seven Montréal schools and universities and coordinated by the Mondial des jeux Loto-Québec, will allow amateurs and experienced practitioners alike to participate in small multidisciplinary teams in friendly competitions aimed at quickly producing a playable video-game prototype.

As part of Québec’s digital cultural plan, Culture pour tous is launching the Lab culturel to support the development of innovative digital cultural projects or services. The media-arts community will therefore be invited to propose creative ideas that make culture accessible to citizens. Several participating organizations will also brilliantly mark the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

This year, Printemps numérique willbe the flagship event of Tourisme Montréal’s Montréal numérique thematic campaign. This collaboration will promote digital creativity to tourist audiences through an advertising and content-marketing campaign. The Printemps numérique program, powered by La Vitrine, is accessible on printempsnumerique.info, LaVitrine.com and other partner platforms. A new feature this year, the Printemps numérique mobile application provides access to the program while allowing events to be geolocated.

Mr. Foster said the organizers are thrilled by the way things are developing. For the general public, it is a privileged opportunity to encounter this entire vibrant field, to be introduced to its works and to those of the many international creators who will visit on this occasion. The program, which includes many free activities, is the result of the work of more than one hundred organizations supported by the Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) de Montréal and numerous institutional and media partners, including Tourisme Montréal, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and La Vitrine. Printemps numérique is produced in association with Métro newspaper.

About Printemps

numérique. Printemps numérique is

an initiative of the Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) de Montréal in partnership with 115 organizations from creative fields or interested in digital arts. The second edition takes place from mid-March to mid-June 2015. By connecting science, industry and art, it highlights the effervescence of Montréal digital creativity. Follow Printemps numérique:

Twitter @PN_MTL and Facebook
http://ow.ly/uLK9S. About
the CRÉ

de Montréal. The CRÉ de Montréal

brings together political and socio-economic leaders from the island of Montréal. Its mandate is to foster the development of its territory through a concerted approach.