May 14th, 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Shanghai and Montréal. In addition to bring CESM, the world-famous case of innovative sustainable development, to the Expo 2010, Montreal also invites its Chinese friends to experience the city’s unique creativity through an exciting cultural exchange program to celebrate the friendship between the two cities。

　　Contemporary Art Montréal

　　The Contemporary Art Montréal project will officially represent Montréal’s contemporary art at the Expo 2010 Shanghai.  The event is part of the cultural exchange program to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Shanghai and Montréal, and represents a celebration of the connection that binds the two cities。

　　The Contemporary Art Montréal will be held from May 13 to 19 in Shanghai. In the spirit of urban creativity, the exhibition will transform the popular downtown Shanghai commercial centre Times Square into a live exhibition site, displaying 45 major works from 15 of Montréal’s best artists and its most prestigious galleries, selected by Montréal’s Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC) and Art Souterrain. The exhibition will also feature a short, purpose-filmed documentary on Montréal’s galleries, screened in a public lounge area.  Thirty hosts will be available along the exhibition path to guide visitors on a journey to discover the modern art and creativity of Montréal。

　　Cultural Highlights

　　Another cultural exchange gift from Montréal to Shanghai is a mosaiculture entitled “The Man Who Planted Trees”.  The creation is a floral sculpture consisting of 100 trees and over 200,000 plants or flowers that was realized by Mosaicultures International of Montréal.  This winner of the top award at the Hamamatsu International Mosaiculture 2009 in Japan will be installed in Bailianjing Park, near a principle entrance to the Expo 2010 Shanghai site. 

　　Montréal has also prepared two other events that epitomize its creative dynamism, both taking place on May 14th, the Expo’s Montréal Day.  Specially designed by Cirque Eloize for Expo 2010 Shanghai, 11,373 kilometres to celebrate friendship translates a Montréal legend into a visual performance, telling of a Montréaler who tunnels through the centre of the earth and emerges in China.  In addition, internationally-acclaimed Montréal violinist Angèle Dubeau will perform with her all-female string ensemble La Pietà “Opus Montréal”； a trip around the world in six pieces showcasing Montréal composers who reflect its diverse cosmopolitan style. 

　　Montréal- City of Culture and Art

　　Montréal is the first North American city to be designated as a “UNESCO City of Design”.  Bestowed upon it by its great history and territory, Montreal’s unique charm consists in the blending of romantic European aroma and modern North American efficiency.  A population of 3.4 million and over 80 ethnicities contribute a diverse culture of inspiration and creativity。

　　A city where visual expression is integrated into every aspect of everyday life, Montréal’s public art collection comprises over 225 works that are part of outdoor sites, and 75 works integrated into architecture.  To foster a creative atmosphere, the city holds public contests for artists to design bespoke works for the building or area into which they are integrated.  Montréal has a dedicated conservation program to maintain the collection so that it can be passed on, well-preserved, to future generations。