Laboratory for Vision.

Summer in Montréal means above all: jazz. The world-famous festival keeps music fans for nearly two weeks in a good mood. But who is the eyes and ears open holds, check out the whole year on music and art to enjoy, without even a cent or greater.

 

Gerrys working in the metro will start the evening at half past six and lasts just two hours. More is not there. Later he may not stay and work. At least not here in the central Berri-UQAM Métro station. Gerry is 54 years old and a musician. From Wednesday to Sunday, it stands for two hours in the metro station, plays spiritual songs on the guitar and sings in French.

Further outside the city center, he should play for three hours. So are the rules. Thereupon, the Association of Independent Métro musicians with the city and the transportation company agreed. "We have founded the association to the right of making music in the Métro to obtain funds without penalty to pay," says Grégoire Dunlevy, president of the association. On the hundred-Métro musicians are currently working in the city, he predicts.

A permit needs Métro Gerry for his music but not. He may even use a small amplifier. "I am artist, but I'm not famous," he says smiling. And then he reveals in a solemn tone, as he is every year a part of the jazz festivals in Montreal is: "Then I play the station in St. Laurent, where the upper stages are built. And the people who come, I welcome with the words: Ladies and gentlemen. The festival begins here. " Since 1994, he regularly with his guitar under the blue sign with white harp - the official sign that at this point in metro station music must be made.

Art Exhibition at the houses

Jazz Festival or not - on Rue Prince Arthur, not far from Berri-UQAM away there all summer long brisk traffic. Many people, especially tourists who stroll along the street, studying the offers of the premises or simply enjoy the food and the sun on the terraces of the restaurants. For cars, this section of Boulevard St. Laurent and Rue Laval locked. The air is filled with various food aromas and vibrant street music.

Since last September it enjoys a busy and popular street close to the crowded restaurants and bars yet another attraction to linger and wonder inviting: a huge painting, an oversized piece of art under the open sky decorated with warm colors and soft forms of the formerly bare, white exterior wall of a row of houses. The much-photographed mural by Carlito Dalceggio is one of the largest and best known in the city. More than a hundred paintings, the 38-year-old artist in various countries have already realized, including in India, Mexico and France.

A typical element in his painting is a female person apparently, he held various positions in the scene. With its images will Dalceggio by the unity of man and the universe tell. He wants the people to show how they in the modern digital world can live. "Street art is a universal language that all over the world is spoken," he says. Montreal had a very lively street art scene and an incredibly good atmosphere. "You can live a very carefree."

Support for his art in Montreal gets Carlito Dalceggio by the mu-art organization. Employees of the organization are looking for suitable houses in the city walls to speak with the owners and obtain permits, and sponsors. Mu-Art has set itself the goal of art in public places to beautify the city. "The city is like a laboratory where one can realize his vision," says the artist.

Mosaic of languages, skin colors and cultures

Only a few street corners to the north of the Latin Quarter is the plateau. The neighborhood of mostly two to three houses, formerly inhabited mainly by workers, is now mainly among young people, artists and intellectuals popular. Typical trademarks are the brightly painted and curved stairs to the outer sides of the houses.

"The plateau is the best neighborhood to live in Montreal. It is very quiet, you will always walk out and there are many trees," says Yannick Picard, who is also an artist at the art mu-operate. A few years ago, the 28-year-old under a UN project in Honduras walls painted. His paintings look so realistic that they can hold photo collages.

But Montreal was not attractive. "I did last year, a wall painting in St. Michel made. So, I would like to live there is not." In his paintings continues Picard is mainly concerned with social issues and environmental problems. The plant in the St. Michel focuses on the coexistence of different cultures in Montreal. People from all over the world are drawn to the Québecsche Métropole; a colorful mosaic of languages, skin colors and cultures. For Picard, in a small town in Quebec grew up, was this diversity as an important reason to go into the city.

Among the musicians will be solved

Also Prométhée Huard, who in his murals on ornaments specializing appreciate the coexistence of very different ethnicities. "There is no race in Montreal separation, not as in the U.S.. All races live together in peace and there is little violence." The 36-year-old artist lives on the plateau, and works mainly on behalf of companies or business owners. For the movie Aviator, he has a painted backdrop - the New York of the twenties.

"It is not difficult, in Montreal received an order for a wall painting to get," says Huard. "I go into the shops and talking with the shop owner, and then tells me what he wants." His paintings are spread over the entire plateau, and also on Rue Prince Arthur ornaments adorn its a small shop.

In the Métro station Berri-UQAM Gerry has already guitar, microphone and amplifier together. It is quiet in the station. After he goes home but not yet. First it must be with the other musicians, the list for the next day to create. "We meet here at eleven clock at night to the next day to plan. Everyone writes his name on a piece of paper and throws it into a hat. Then withdrawn. The first eight are then on the list and the next day to play . For longer ranges, the time window is not enough. "

The competition is not currently large. Yesterday came just five musicians of the day planning. Gerry will certainly be back here tomorrow and sing under the blue sign with white harp.