Alain Bublex

In an elaborate work of fiction, French artist Alain Bublex proposes nothing less than an entire city that he locates in New Brunswick. His Glooscap (1985-present) is brilliantly documented in discoverers’ maps, surveyors’ drawings, prospects of the 19th-century city, industrial parks, feats of engineering, deeds, plans, and views of the neat suburban streets – everything has been imagined by the artist. The key to this project is its careful mix of reality and fiction which is manifest not just in facts, but in photographic styles that are emulated with great skill. The Canadian premiere of this twenty-year project has been designed down to the last detail by the artist who introduces new visual elements and sound into this multi-media installation.

Alain Bublex was born in 1961 in Lyon, France, where he lives and works. After studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Mâcon and the École Supérieure de Design Industriel in Paris, he worked for Renault before establishing his full-time art practice in 1992. His fictional cities have been exhibited in France, Europe, and the United States. In 2000 Bublex began his ongoing Plug-in City project, inspired by the imaginary architectural project conceived in 1964 by British architect and urban planner Peter Cook and Archigram. Bublex’s Plug-in City has been presented at MassMOCA (North Adams) and the Blaffer Gallery (Houston).

Maison de la culture Frontenac
2550 Ontario St. East
(514) 872-7880
Alain Bublex: Glooscap
September 8th, 2005 – October 9th, 2005
Tuesday to Thursday 1:00-7:00pm,
Friday to Sunday 1:00-5:00pm
Opening Thursday 8 September 2005 5:00-8:30pm, the artist will be present