Pop-Up Museum

For its 27th edition, the Symposium will hold a pop-up museum (Musée éphémère) for three days only.

For three days only, it will present “Le Cirque” (The Circus), Jean-Paul Riopelle’s end-of-life work illustrated by texts from Québec icon Gilles Vigneault.

In his studio in Île aux Grues, Jean-Paul Riopelle created, from 1996 to 1998, 12 etchings based on works made in the late 1980s on the theme of the circus.

It was the last major work by Riopelle before he passed away in 2002.

Gilles Vigneault worked closely with Riopelle to create six texts infused with softness and poetry to accompany these works.

Jean-Paul Riopelle and Gilles Vigneault at Île aux Grues in July 1996
Photo by Bruno Massenet
© Michel Tétreault Art International

A boxed album bringing together the 12 original and interpretive engravings by Riopelle and the texts by Vigneault was launched in 1996 at the instigation of gallery owner Michel Tétreault.

“Each of Riopelle’s engravings is like a snapshot of a moment of his life, from his childhood to his loves and passions. Through Gilles Vigneault’s words, they take another perspective, at the crossroads of visual arts and poetry. Nearly thirty years later, I am still very proud to have contributed to this project.”
— Michel Tétreault

Thanks to the Michel Tétreault’s generosity, visitors of the pop-up museum will be able to enjoy the entirety of “Le Cirque”, recognized in 2014 as an “exceptional cultural asset of national importance” by the Canadian government.

© Jean-Paul Riopelle
Photo from Michel Tétreault Art International

The works that make up the album “Le Cirque” will be exhibited along with a rich collection of photos taken at Île aux Grues and artifacts that were used in the production of the engravings and albums.

© Jean-Paul Riopelle
Photo from Michel Tétreault Art International

In addition, a ten-minute video interview with Michel Tétreault will be presented at the Cultural Center, telling the story of the genesis of this exceptional collaboration between these two monuments, Riopelle and Vigneault.

“Alex, Pipo, Mimille”, Jean-Paul Riopelle
From boxed album “Le Cirque” (The Circus)
Press proof and steel copper plates
© Jean-Paul Riopelle
Photo from Michel Tétreault Art International

Le Musée éphémère – pop-up museum
from Bromont en art symposium
presents “Le Cirque” (the circus)
by Jean-Paul Riopelle and Gilles Vigneault

for three days only
at St-John Cultural Centre
from friday August, 22rd to sunday august, 24th
from 10 am to 6 pm – free admission

Take advantage of your visit to the Pop-up Museum to discover the architectural character of the St-John Cultural Centre.

Housed in a former Anglican church built in the late 19th century, the Cultural Centre has been completely restored and redesigned in recent years. It offers a 165-seat auditorium as well as various meeting and reception areas.