One of Canadian Art Junkie’s all-time reader favourites, from the archives.
Micropolis 2.0 is a multimedia universe made of silkscreen cutouts and digital prints that explores urban life and the relationships between people and large cities. This is a work of wonder, as Québécois artists Allison Moore and Arthur Desmarteaux call it.
It’s an evolving installation of collaged screen and digital prints, assembled to evoke a busy commercial street with pedestrians, creatures and vehicles, inspired by the cityscapes of Québec City, Montréal and Toronto.
The diorama also includes sections of woodcuts and LCD video screens in the “building windows” showing animated loops and an accompanying soundtrack.
The artists say the project “is intended to convey a sense of wonder, awe and contemplation. Looking though the microscope, viewers are drawn in a god-like perspective, entering a strange theatrical dimension.”
Allison Moore is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Vancouver Island, now located in Montréal. She has produced projects in Ecuador, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Her website is here.
Arthur Desmarteaux obtained a BFA in media & visual arts from University of Québec in Montréal. He is an active member of Graff Studios in Montreal, ARPRIM [Association for the promotion of Printed Arts in Québec] and the Puppet Association of Québec. His website is here.
Images from Looper.ca
Canadian Art Junkie 
This is more than just good, original art. By combining separate images and lining them up as a city street, new possibilities are realized. A “building” could be condemned and another put up in its place in no time at all, without having to worry about actual construction costs or zoning restrictions, in a continual process until the representation of a realistic city is replaced by the representation of a utopian city, an urban paradise. Sort of like Second Life or Sim City, but not on a computer.
I’m not saying that is the artist’s intent and I admit that I’m no artist. Just raising the possibility.
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You are so on target. Exactly. Allison Moore says she and her artist partner change the look and feel and functionality of the installation each time they do an exhibit, including this time, when they’ve actually installed a running model of the Montréal metro travelling underground – or rather under the sill (sidewalk) of the streetscape. In other words, as you say, their city changes just as a real city would change. And I agree with you that it’s way more than just good, original art. Thank you for taking the time to share those spot on observations.
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This is brilliant. Nice job on Freshly Pressed 🙂
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Thanks re Freshly Pressed, and very glad you came and saw!
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Awesome work and thanks for presenting.
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You’re so welcome. Happy to spread the word on this one.
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Interesting!
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You can say that again! Never seen anything like it. Thanks.
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Its wonderful..I love this sort of innovative work
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Me too, and as one of the other commenters said, Montreal remains a strong centre of art innovation here in Canada. Thanks for stopping by.
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done with such pietism….love for life in general. and good art-work if I can judge. thank You.
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I agree, it has a special kind of joy. Appreciated.
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Amazing …!! Its wonderful.Great art
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It really is special, isn’t it. Thanks for visiting.
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Classic!!!
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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How absolutely spectacular this is! I love it. Thanks so much for sharing. How I love WordPress as it introduces us to so many new and wonderful things to experience.
You Matter! Smiles, Nancy
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I agree with you about how WP spreads the wonder! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts.
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Congrats. on being Freshly Pressed again!
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Thank you so much. I was thinking in the midst of all this how wonderful it is that so many people are getting to know more about Canadian art, which is why I wanted to do this in the first place. But also I was thinking how much I appreciate the people like you who have been with me from the beginning and so supportive. I remember you were the very first person who left a significant comment. It was about Pierre Trudeau on the the canoe tripping post last summer. I really appreciate you guys.
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Like like like 🙂
Larva
http://www.larvamedia.wordpress.com
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Well good, good, good – glad you enjoyed!
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This is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!
♥ Love and light ♥
~ Jennifer
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Oh you’re so welcome, appreciated
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Great arts! For one second, the “people” cutouts seem so alive with an incredible shadow-play. And the details? Amazing. Thanks for sharing this beautiful arts. Love it!
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So true about the people seeming alive. They are multi-dimensional and so creative. But you’re right, they also seem to move. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
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great to watch….
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I totally agree. It’s quite arresting. Thanks.
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People-watching and art at the same time! Perfect.
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Great observation. You’re right and it’s probably a big part of the appeal.
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Beautiful stuff.
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So glad you enjoyed it (loved your prescriptive linguist post)
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Reblogged this on Canadian Heritage Club.
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Thank you for the re-blog. Neat site you have.
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