MOMENTA Biennale de l’image is a flagship Montreal event devoted to contemporary art. For 35 years, MOMENTA has been inviting artists and audiences from the world over to gather in the city’s museums, galleries, and artist-run centres. Its activities include exhibitions, public events, and educational workshops that introduce participants to artists, both local and international, whose works pique curiosity and stimulate reflection.

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MOMENTA’s activities take place on stolen, unceded territories of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. These lands and waterways have long served as a meeting site for many Nations, including the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron/Wendat, the Abenaki, and the Anishinaabeg (Algonquin). Even today, these lands are the home of Indigenous peoples from across the globe who gather here in beauty. Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang/Montreal has a deep colonial history that persists today in many ways; we stand in solidarity with the Indigenous nations that have fought to protect their sovereignty and the land over the years. It is the biennial’s privilege to be able to work and present in this territory. We do our best to dismantle colonial harm wherever possible.

Although we recognize that simply acknowledging the land and waterways that have been stewarded by Indigenous nations since time immemorial is not in itself enough, we strive to ensure ongoing accountability for work done on these lands and to nurture and uphold anti-colonial frameworks. We are grateful to the guardians of the land, whose stewardship allows these relationships to continue; to the numerous Indigenous artists with whom the organization had conversations as its activities were formulated; and to the people who generously share their works with the team and with the public.

This territorial acknowledgment is adapted from the acknowledgment developed by the curators of the 2021 edition of the Biennial, Stefanie Hessler, Camille Georgeson-Usher, and Himali Singh Soin. We thank them for their engagement and attention.

MOMENTA’s mission is to have a sensitive and meaningful impact on the world around us by means of images. We bring this intention to life through unifying and structuring initiatives for art dissemination and education, which foster reflection on and accessibility to contemporary art. The organization offers Quebec, Canadian, and international audiences engaging and inclusive activities that highlight Canada’s cultural innovation and provides an exceptional showcase for artists from the four corners of the globe.

Founded in 1989 as Le Mois de la Photo à Montreal, the organization was renamed MOMENTA Biennale de l’image for its 15th edition, in 2017. The first Mois de la Photo à Montreal was organized by VOX, centre de l’image contemporaine in 1989 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of photography. Until 2002, VOX was responsible for holding the event. In September 2002, it became an autonomous corporation. The change in administration was followed by the adoption of a new artistic direction concept. For every biennial, a curator is invited to propose a contemporary theme around which a series of exhibitions, a catalogue, and many public activities are produced. Between 20 and 40 artists from Canada and abroad are selected and their works are presented in 15 partner venues throughout the city.

info@momentabiennale.com
+1.514.390.0383

MOMENTA Biennale de l’image
5445 de Gaspé Avenue, #611
Montreal (Quebec) H2T 3B2
Canada

Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm