Announcement of theme 26 – Casting

Casting is the process of taking an impression of an object in order to create a mould that will be used to reproduce that initial object. By extension, casting is also the name given to the resulting reproduction. In art, we generally associate this process with more traditional techniques (casting in bronze, for instance). Today, thanks to the development of plastic materials, among other things, casting is an integral part of the production process of many everyday objects, from car parts to toys to various silicone objects, and much more. Want to know how chocolate bunnies are made?

View of the exhibition Encounters, Chloé Desjardins, Musée d’art de Joliette, 2021. Photo : Romain Guilbault.

July’s theme for Quarantined Museum was inspired by the work of Chloé Desjardins, whose solo exhibition Rencontres [Encounters] is currently being presented at the Musée until September 6. The Montreal-based sculptor often uses moulds in her practice. She focuses, among other things, on the objects that surround, protect, or enhance the art works, such as containers and pedestals. Invited to revisit the MAJ collection, she naturally took an interest in the conservation devices and facilities for the works in storage, including inlays, painting racks, and filing cabinets.

View of the exhibition Encounters, Chloé Desjardins, Musée d’art de Joliette, 2021. Photo : Romain Guilbault.

Casting is a technique, but, by extension, might it be considered a conceptual procedure? To mould oneself to an idea, sticking as closely as possible to it in order to reproduce it, reinterpret it? As part of the Rencontres exhibition, Desjardins asked MAJ employees to describe a work in the Museum collection that is currently in storage. The written description had to include technical information, but also the reason for choosing the work. The artist then created a work in response to the text; she interpreted this interpretation (by recasting it perhaps?). Throughout, Desjardins was interested not only in the works in the Musée’s collection, but also in the context of their acquisition, their documentation, their affective dimension, and the ethical questions they raise.

👉 As part of this call for proposals, we invite you to consider moulding as a technique and—why not—as a conceptual approach. What object in your everyday life is produced by casting? Could you reproduce it? What is your favourite work produced through moulding? How many muffin moulds do you have? Do you write in block letters (lettres moulées)? How do you feel when you wear a close-fitting, moulded piece of clothing? Is there an idea or a moment you would want to replicate indefinitely? What kind of variations would this produce? Why not experiment with moulds using various materials, such as wax, sand, plaster? Or various plastic materials, like resins, latex, rubber, silicone?

View of the exhibition Encounters, Chloé Desjardins, Musée d’art de Joliette, 2021. Photo : Romain Guilbault.

Stay tuned to discover the content proposed on the blog throug the month of July.

➔ As always, the education department has got a “Family Special” activity in the works for you!

➔ And several other surprises are coming up on the blog, including a new episode of the Spécialiste en la matière podcast series!

Happy creativity!

This article was written by Charlotte Lalou Rousseau, Assistant curator of contemporary art, Musée d’art de Joliette

TO PARTICIPATE IN QUARANTINED MUSEUM

You have until Saturday, July 31 to send us your artistic creations inspired by the theme of the month. The exhibition will be online Thursday, August 5, 2021.

Click here to learn how to participate.