From June 7 to July 29, 2023, I had the privilege of participating as an artist-curator within the collective 2J2R in the exhibition XL alongside artist-curator Jérémie Roussel, organized by the artist-run centre AXENÉO7 in Gatineau. Designed to celebrate the centre’s 40th anniversary, this collective exhibition brought together artists from the Outaouais and Ottawa regions in a reflection on space, scale, and artistic memory.
Photographies : Dominic Bachand
A Celebration of Large-Scale Art
The XL exhibition was part of an effort to highlight the work of local artists while exploring notions of scale and spatial occupation. The works presented, ranging from visual arts to performance, were not limited to traditional exhibition spaces: they also took over unexpected areas of the centre, blurring the boundaries between exhibition space and everyday life.
As a member of the 2J2R collective, I contributed to the curatorial reflection and to creating dialogue between the artworks within this expansive space. Our approach was grounded in dynamic exchanges with the artists to build an exhibition in which each piece resonated with the architecture of the site and the history of AXENÉO7.
A Curatorial Practice in Dialogue with Space
The main challenge of XL lay in its experimental format, which pushed the boundaries of exhibition conventions and public interaction. Working in close collaboration with the artists, we sought to transform the viewer’s experience by immersing them in an immersive scenography, where the works directly engaged with their environment.
This curatorial approach revealed the centre’s potential as a living space in constant evolution. It also deepened my interest in exhibition formats built through active dialogue between the works, the space, and the visitors.
A Landmark Event for the Artistic Community
Beyond its retrospective role, XL was a moment of gathering and exchange for the local artistic community. The exhibition highlighted the richness and diversity of the practices that have shaped AXENÉO7 over the decades, while paving the way for new artistic explorations.
Taking part in this project as an artist-curator was a significant experience that deepened my thinking on exhibition formats and the role of independent art spaces. XL embodied the spirit of experimentation and collaboration that has defined AXENÉO7 for the past 40 years, and I am proud to have contributed to this celebration.