About

What is MOMENTA ?

MOMENTA Biennale d’art contemporain happens every two years in Montréal, a not-to-be-missed event that brings out the public into the city’s museums, galleries, and artist-run centres. Activities include exhibitions, public events, and educational workshops featuring both local and international artists whose works inspire curiosity and reflection.

Territorial Acknowledgment

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.

Mission and Mandate

MOMENTA is a contemporary art biennial whose mission is to stimulate meaningful and engaged reflection about society. Its finely tuned, thematic programming is expressed through the works of the local and international artists it exhibits. MOMENTA takes place in various significant venues around the Montréal art scene, making it an essential event for both the art community and the general public.

History

Founded in 1989 as Le Mois de la Photo à Montreal, the organization was renamed MOMENTA Biennale d'art contemporain 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. 

From Photography to Image-based Practices

The name MOMENTA, the plural form of momentum, was adopted with a nod to Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” – a foundational concept for the organization. The name underscores the fact that the event, originally focused first and foremost on photography, has since evolved to embrace all contemporary art practices at a time when these are being manifested in a broad range of media and locations.

From image-based practices to contemporary art

Transcending the limits of the image, MOMENTA has established itself as a leading event in the world of Canadian contemporary art as well as on the international scene. The organization continues to define and refine its goal of becoming an event that enjoys strong recognition and appeal, both within the art community and among the general public.

In short

Over its last ten editions, the Biennale has presented more than 3,000 artworks by 600 artists and has reached some two million people. More than a hundred partners join the Biennale for each edition, with participation by almost two hundred stakeholders from around the cultural milieu.

Consult our archives to learn more about past editions of MOMENTA and Le Mois de la photo.

Team

MANAGEMENT

Executive Director
Dominique Sirois-Rouleau

Associate Artistic Director
Maude Hénaire

Associate Administrative Director
Ariel Rondeau

PUBLICATION

Publication Coordinator
Janick Burn

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibitions Coordinator
Mick Sand

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications, Partnerships and Philanthropy Coordinator
Guillaume Saur

GRAPHIC DESIGN

MOMENTA Website 
Design and Development
House9 Designhouse9design.ca

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair
Lesley Johnstone
Independent curator

Vice-Chair
Bernard Asselin
Marketing, sales, and coaching consultant

Treasurer
Cédrick Pautel

ÉTS Secretary General

Administrators

Yann Pocreau
Artist

Mojeanne Sarah Behzadi
Curator of Exhibitions
Musée d’art contemporain de Montreal

Michaëlle Sergile
Artist and independent curator

Kama La Mackerel
Multidisciplinary artist, author

Contact

info@momentabiennale.com
+1.514.390.0383


MOMENTA Biennale d'art contemporain
5445 de Gaspé Avenue, #611
Montreal (Quebec) H2T 3B2
Canada

Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm