Conversation

June 10 to July 25, 2021

Conversation (\ ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən), n. (1) A discussion with someone about a particular subject; (2) Exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas; (3) Informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons.

For the third instalment of the POP-UP series, we wanted to explore the idea of a conversation in space. This concept is so ingrained in our everyday lives that we do not necessarily think about all its implications. A simple conversation can often affect our actions and/or decisions. The word conversation can refer to an exchange of views, a way of expressing oneself—in our case, a way of creating or making—an association of ideas, or a way of making connections. We see three levels of conversation in the exhibition: (1) between La Guilde, the Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal, and the Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal, (2) between the works, and (3) between the audience and the exhibition. We do not see any division between the twelve artists, working with leather and textiles, as they all add to these conversations we just began. The exhibition highlights the mediums of leather and textile, their textures, colours, and related techniques to create connections between the works of many functions. 

Conversation is the first exhibition on which the two schools have collaborated and the first of its kind at La Guilde. The pandemic allowed us to reach out to our partners in Craft and make our space available to feature local artists and their practices. The exhibition also comes at a good moment for the artists who are exhibiting their creations, as it represents the courage, pride, and resilience of these women in these troubled times of pandemic. These artists imagine, create, and craft with passion. The exhibition celebrates the local skills and techniques required to produce high quality, contemporary pieces.

Leather as part of the exhibition :
Leather, integral to our daily lives, is found in many different kinds of durable and functional objects. Beautiful and appealing, leather reveals an artist’s creativity and skill. In this exhibition, we present three leather professions: fine leather accessory making, sheathing, and shoemaking. Several essential techniques are performed in the practice of these trades:

Double needle hand stitch (with a stitching clamp) or machine stitch (with different types of leather sewing machines)  allow for the assembly of leather components required in the making of items (shoes, briefcases, lamps, handbags, etc.).

Raw edge assembly refers to the clicking (cutting) of the leather, contouring the leather using a creasing iron, and applying edge dye.

Folded edge assembly refers to skiving (thinning) the edge of the leather either by hand or by machine and folding it over along the skived length, thus avoiding excessive thickness of the leather. 

Sheathing involves the enveloping of objects (such as boxes and cases) in leather with gluing techniques. 

Textile in the exhibition :Working with textiles requires the knowledge of many techniques, which may be surprising in their diversity and complexity. Some of the artists in the exhibition apply more than one of these techniques in their works:

Basketry is the art or practice of making objects that are woven using thin, flexible rods often made of plant fibres (i.e. wicker baskets).

Weaving refers to the making of fabric by interlacing warp and weft threads, usually using a loom.

Spinning refers to the action of transforming fibres (filaments) into thread or yarn with a spinning wheel.

Knitting is done by hand, using needles or a machine, and produces a knitted fabric made of wool and cotton, among other materials.

Embroidery refers to the art of applying stitches to fabric with a needle to create precise designs.

As part of Conversation, we invite you to explore the textures, techniques, and mediums used. Were you drawn to a specific section when you entered the space? Were you surprised by the use of a technique in one artist’s work? Did your perception of any of the mediums presented change as a result of your visit? Here’s a great opportunity to start a conversation with our artists!

VIRTUAL CONTENT

A short video previewing the space:

For those who couldn't attend, here is the video of Tamara Rubilar's embroidery workshop on the making of a Dahlia brooch:

Our partners :

The Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal (CMCM) (CMCM)  is the only school of its kind in Quebec and in Canada offering specialized college education in fine leather craftsmanship (DEC en métiers d’art – spécialisation maroquinerie 573.AG). It is done in collaboration with the Institut des métiers d’art - Cégep du Vieux Montréal. The CMCM is also the beneficiary of a generous grant from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications allowing the CMCM to carry out its mission as an art education institution.

The Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal (CTCM) (CTCM) mission is to provide professional instruction in the skills required for the design and production of textiles. As a studio and school, the CTCM encourages initiation, experimentation, research and continuing training in textile creation. It works with professionals, semi-professionals and amateurs. 

IMAGES : (BANNER) ASSEMBLAGE OF WORKS FROMCONVERSATION, 2021 ; (TEXT) Exhibition views, 2021. © La Guilde
Videos: View of Conversation, 2021 ; Atelier de broderie d'art : Un univers de beauté | TAMARA RUBILAR, 2021. © La Guilde