Digital hamlet revitalizes in the digital realm
In the heart of Montreal's vibrant Quartier des Spectacles, a new digital art pathway, known as Village Numérique, is captivating audiences with its immersive and diverse multimedia installations. Presented by MUTEK and Xn Quebec, this second edition of the digital art pathway explores a fresh cycle of digital creativity, emphasising connections between technology, art, and urban space.
The pathway, running from August 14th to 28th, transforms iconic and unusual spaces within the Quartier des Spectacles. Notable locations include UQAM’s Cœur des sciences and public corners like boulevard De Maisonneuve and rue Saint-Urbain. The installations are designed to be experienced daily from 6 PM to 11 PM.
One of the highlights of this year's Village Numérique is Martin Messier's installation, "Astronomical Water." Composed of a hundred dripper dispensed on three large panels, this work creates a choreography of water drops, each tile showing small points that represent a swarm of bees. Speakers on the ceiling track and emit buzzing sounds when someone walks on the tiles, making the experience even more engaging.
Another intriguing installation is "Opal" by Gentilhomme, an interactive environment where visitors manipulate a flashlight to activate organic visual animations. "Opal" evokes the energy, interconnectivity, and iridescence of a world at the border of water and space.
"VS AI Street Fighting," by Dimension Plus, is an interactive game that challenges the complex landscape of human expression and the autonomy of machines. Located inside the Le Central food court area, this game invites participants to engage in an audio-visual duel, controlling commands and knobs using intuitive gestures.
"The Door of the Refuge," designed by Normal Studio, is an interactive installation located at Place de la Paix. This thought-provoking piece appeals to our sense of empathy and tells the journey of a young person from their entry into a refuge to their social reintegration.
"Photomode: Framing the Game" is an outdoor exhibition of virtual photographs taken in Ubisoft's game universes. It features high-definition visuals from games like "Assassin's Creed Odyssey."
Iregular studio, founded by Daniel Iregui, has created a network of small digital tiles for "Astronomical Water." Meanwhile, "I'm Not a Robot," by Cadie Desbiens-Desmeules, is an artistic installation that critiques artificial intelligence, located at the Society of Arts and Technology (SAT).
Lastly, "Dialogues," by Isotone, is a meditative installation featuring four voices and visuals inspired by Japanese calligraphy. This mesmerising piece can be found on the mezzanine of the Agora of the Heart of Sciences.
Village Numérique 2025 is more than just a digital art pathway; it's an invitation to reimagine Montreal through the lens of digital art. Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the intersection of technology, art, and urban space.
[1] Village Numérique 2025 Official Website: [https://www.villagenumerique.ca/] [2] MUTEK Official Website: [https://www.mutek.org/] [3] Xn Quebec Official Website: [https://www.xnquebec.org/] [4] MUTEK Festival Schedule: [https://www.mutek.org/festival/2025/schedule]
The digital art installations at Village Numérique, such as Martin Messier's "Astronomical Water" and Gentilhomme's "Opal," not only transform the Quartier des Spectacles but also blend technology with lifestyle and home-and-garden environments. The intriguing interactive games, like "VS AI Street Fighting" and "I'm Not a Robot," challenge the boundaries of technology and human expression. This year's pathway, running fromAugust 14th to 28th, invites visitors to reimagine Montreal's urban spaces through the lens of digital art.
