Ecstatic Worlds by Marchessault Janine;

Author:Marchessault, Janine;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: history; photography; cinema; media studies; ontology; film; technology; post-war; media ecology; art; global humanism
Publisher: MIT Press
Published: 2017-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

The Labyrinth Pavilion’s design was not conceived merely as a way to incorporate multiple screens; rather, it aimed at the creation of a fluid space in which viewing would become a transformative, “artistic” activity. Low spent considerable time designing the mezzanine area, which included several dramatic displays of historical labyrinths. Moreover, the material space of viewing and the act of viewing were understood as integral parts of the films. All of these elements constituted Labyrinth’s temporal dynamic, which was manifested as a theatrical performance of expanded screens and intermediality—the merging of screen and architecture. Even the pavilion’s exit was conceived and designed in these terms—audience members exited with a view of the Fleuve Saint-Laurent. In keeping with the humanist spirit of Labyrinth, this final view also included architect and urban designer Moshe Safdie’s utopian vision, Habitat.

Of central importance to the overall success of Expo 67 and an inherent aspect of its utopian energies was the sudden visibility of Quebec’s distinct cultural identity, and with it, a burgeoning national movement. This was especially true when Charles De Gaulle made the fateful statement, “Vive le Québec … Vive le Québec libre.” This period in Quebec’s history has been characterized as the Quiet Revolution / la révolution tranquille. The French language was foregrounded at Expo 67 (the majority of the exposition’s hosts were young Francophones), and the city of Montreal was then undergoing a massive architectural transformation that highlighted its cosmopolitan character.77 Several documentary films produced about Expo 67 have made the observation that it suddenly allowed French Quebec, which had been “held back” by conservative Catholicism, to become visible on a technologically advanced world stage.

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