Monday, April 18, 2016
Paris has the Louvre. New York, the Guggenheim. Québec City? The MNBAQ.
On June 24, 2016, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) will inaugurate the Lassonde Pavilion, a world‑class building on the Grande Allée and the new portal to the gallery. The stunning pavilion elevates the MNBAQ to the rank of architectural landmark, major art museum, and of course, an absolute must when visiting Québec City.
An Architectural Gem
Designed by OMA and built in collaboration with Montréal’s Provencher Roy et Associés, the bold steel‑and‑glass structure stands as a symbolic bridge between Battlefields Park and the city, connecting stately historic buildings with a lively commercial street.
Credit: OMA / LUXIGON
The crystalline building, filled with natural light, welcomes visitors into an immense hall centred around the grand staircase—an imposing cantilevered structure with 79 steps that form an undulating wave. A second majestic cantilevered staircase on the outside of the building, surrounded by a glass cage, leads to the third storey of the pavilion, with its superb terrace. The green roof boasts 90,000 plants and offers an incredible view of the surrounding landscape and St. Lawrence River. At the heart of the pavilion, you’ll find 12 exhibition rooms of world-class art, a 250‑seat auditorium, and the ticket booth, coat room, gift shop, and café.
Upcoming Exhibits
To celebrate its inauguration, the Lassonde Pavilion will be open to the public free of charge on June 24, 25, and 26, 2016. There will be special talks, tours, and evening classical and pop concerts.
The first international exhibition in the Lassonde Pavilion will be a North American exclusive of French artist Pierre Bonnard, on from October 6, 2016, to January 15, 2017. Visitors in the summer of 2016 will have a choice of five new exhibits, all within the walls of the Lassonde:
- Inuit Art. The Brousseau collection. Ilippunga
- From Ferron to BGL – Contemporary Art in Québec
- Decorative Arts and Design in Québec
- Installations – On a Large Scale
- Jean-Paul Riopelle – Tribute to Rosa Luxemburg
4 Pavilions, 4 Adventures
As a museum, the MNBAQ aims to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. Moving through its four pavilions, visitors traverse every facet of Québec’s art history.
Credit: OMA / MNBAQ, Idra Labrie
Post‑1960 contemporary art, Inuit art, and decorative arts and design will all be housed in the Lassonde Pavilion, as will the museum’s international exhibitions. The Charles Baillargé Pavilion, which served as a prison in the 19th century, will be dedicated to Québec modern art. A discovery zone for children will be located in the central pavilion, while the Gérard Morisset Pavilion—the original museum—will be dedicated to historic art.
This summer, don’t miss the incredible offering of art and architecture at the MNBAQ.
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