Transformative artistic experiences
Old Montréal’s historic sights get a digital upgrade inside Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, where the art and architecture truly shine in multimedia show AURA by internationally acclaimed experience-makers Moment Factory. By night, the detailed projections of Cité Mémoire illuminate historic moments on Old Montréal’s brick building façades – use your smartphone to go on a self-guided tour and learn more about local history.
The Age of Union Centre, a multidisciplinary center dedicated to the arts and the environment, aims to raise public awareness of environmental issues and the current climate crisis. Its programming includes exhibitions, films, workshops, lectures, guided tours, not to mention immersive experiences. The Centre comprises two floors of exhibitions, a projection room, permanent immersive installations, a multifunctional event space and an outdoor area with a swimming pool and gardens.
A massive immersive art experience in surround sound and laser light, OASIS Immersion takes over the ground floor of Palais des congrès. And the newest addition that must be experienced to be believed, the Museum of Illusions Montréal in Old Montréal has us questioning our perceptions of reality.
Art exhibitions with immersive elements and projection art are also prevalent at several Montréal museums and galleries, including the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex and the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal.
New worlds of VR & immersive cinema
Downtown, the Society for Art and Technology (SAT) boasts an incredible surround-sound 360-degree multimedia dome on its roof, where audiences can experience generative animation and other forms of cinematic art by local and international artists. Explore the mysteries of the universe in science-meets-art documentaries under the Planétarium’s two domes (one with reclining seats, the other with seats as well as comfy bean-bag chairs!)
For award-winning digital art and VR go to the Phi Centre in Old Montréal to experience virtual reality.
Larger-than-life festival creations
Montréal’s famed summer festival season is a perfect time to see high-tech projection art on building façades as well as innovative lighting displays on outdoor stages and large indoor venues in the Quartier des spectacles downtown.
Watch for more pop-up digital art during French-language music festival Francos de Montréal every year in June, awe-inspiring circus festival MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE in July, and at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, where there’s something for every music fan on multiple stages in summer. In late-August, MUTEK delivers the latest in electronic music and digital arts from around the world.
In September in the Mile End neighbourhood (as well as pop-up events throughout the year), see creations by up-and-coming projection-mapping artists during the energetic MAPP_MTL festival. And for another kind of technical wizardry, look to the night sky during L'International des Feux Loto-Québec, an incredible fireworks competition in summer.
For tickets and more artistic and cultural activities in Montreal, check the city's cultural calendar at La Vitrine, pick up the Passeport MTL to visit your choice of 5 unforgettable Montréal attractions for one price, and plan your visit with Tourisme Montréal’s official city guides.
