Yann Pocreau (born in 1980), Celestial Bodies, 2018-2020, digital proof, 221 x 140 cm. Collection of the artist
Yann Pocreau (born in 1980), Celestial Bodies, 2018-2020, digital proof, 221 x 140 cm. Collection of the artist
Impermanencies is the culmination of an MMFA-sponsored residency the artist completed at the Darling Foundry from 2016 to 2018 as well as a research stint conducted at the Mont-Mégantic Observatory in 2018, during which he studied the universe and its phenomena. The exhibition offers a metaphorical expression of Pocreau’s recent musings and the existential questions that astronomy and an observation of the stars naturally inspire.
View of the exhibition Yann Pocreau: Impermanencies. Photo MMFA, Denis Farley
Photo MMFA, Denis Farley
Photo MMFA, Denis Farley
Photo MMFA, Denis Farley
The first gallery features cyanotypes exposed to sunlight and moonlight, lumen prints, photographs and Solar Radius, an in situ installation composed of polished brass tubes. In the second gallery, a slide projection depicting the rising and setting of the moon accompanies photographic portraits the artist gathered from various flea markets in Canada and elsewhere. Extremely fashionable in the late 19 th century, these cabinet cards attest to Pocreau’s interest in the found image. The artist perforated the photos and embroidered them to represent the 88 constellations recognized today.
Yann Pocreau (born in 1980), Inalterable (detail), 2020, cyanotype, 19th century photo album, 24-karat gold plated brass, 15 x 23 cm. Collection of the artist
About the artist
Born in Quebec City in 1980, Yann Pocreau lives in Montreal. He is interested in light as a living subject, and its effect on the narrative element of images. He explores these themes through various modes of expression, such as photography, sculpture and installation art. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including at Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles in 2019. He has also been the subject of solo exhibitions at the Galerie de l’UQAM, Expression, the VU centre and the Darling Foundry. His work can be found in a number of corporate, institutional and museum collections throughout the country, such as in those of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art de Joliette, the Galerie de l’UQAM, National Bank, Desjardins and Hydro-Québec.
Yann Pocreau. Photo Paul Kuimet
They're talking about it
Les impermanents et sa tonne d’œuvres inédites sont traversées par la fugacité de la vie et des choses.
Jérôme Delgado
Poète de la lumière, Yann Pocreau en est au stade où ses expériences conceptuelles l’ont conduit à des réflexions existentielles qu’il a liées à sa fascination pour les questions photographiques et astronomiques.
La Presse +
a fresh breath of air worth visiting.
À voir absolument.
ICI Radio-Canada Première, Tout un matin
une petite merveille d’exposition
Lumière : voilà probablement le mot qui vient d’abord en tête en visitant Les impermanents
Credits and curatorial team
An exhibition organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as part of the artist’s residency at the Darling Foundry from 2016 to 2018, sponsored by the MMFA. Guest curator: Sylvie Lacerte
Official Sponsor:
With support from:
Public partners:
Yann Pocreau (born in 1980), Inalterable (detail), 2020, cyanotype, 19th century photo album, 24-karat gold plated brass, 15 x 23 cm. Collection of the artist
Yann Pocreau. Photo Paul Kuimet
