A Shared Scaffolding

Sylvie Cauchon LS Gomma Florence Provencher-Proulx & a selection of historical design

Drawing inspiration from the architectural language of the early 20th century circus tent, big top or marquee, A Shared Scaffolding investigates how structural intricacies converse and converge to give shape to a distinct singular form. The marquee serves as both a physical and conceptual container. It is the temporary enclosure of an imagined stage, representing a unique opportunity for unfettered artistic expression and the realization of new and imaginative ideas.

Much like the construction of the circus tent, the framework of this exhibition represents a rich collaboration of shared inspiration and mutual effort. Through meaningful conversation, cooperation, and support, A Shared Scaffolding is the coalescence of unique and proprietary viewpoints, which elegantly merge to craft a collective narrative.

Alongside themes of ephemerality and impermanence, the exhibition marks a singular moment in time – a fleeting opportunity for the intersection of artistic intentions, processes, and ways of making. Contemporary artists and designers engage with this concept through the employment of a wide breadth of materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, rubber, glass, metal mesh, plastic, and textile. These one-of-a-kind works are further contextualized with historical furniture, lighting, and objects, which range from the 17th to the late 20th centuries. The dialogue between past and present illuminates the works’ disparities but also their mutual affinities. A Shared Scaffolding serves as a temporary arena for transnational cultural exchange, further interrogating what it means to work both in concert and in tension with one another.