Herman Kolgen is an internationally renowned, multifaceted artist, who has been modelling sumptuous ‘audiocinetic’ performances for over twenty years. The Montréal-based sight and sound virtuoso, continually hatches new conceptual approaches to celebrate the powerful synergy (and intimacy) at the heart of his audiovisual works. Constantly exploring, Kolgen works at the junctures of different media, as well as elaborating a new technical language and distinctive aesthetic. Kolgen’s works take the forms of installations, video, performances and sound sculptures. He has performed at prestigious international events such as Berlin’s Transmediale, the Venice Biennale, Austria’s Ars Electronica, Elektra and Mutek.

He tells us about where he makes:

During the last 7 years, I’ve been living in an old factory near an incinerator (converted into a recycling center) and a railway. It’s a refurbished space, in an up and coming area that serves me both a place to live and work and is not far from downtown Montréal. Situated near the metro, bike lanes, shops and markets, the area is both quiet and lively.

The physical and practical organisation of my creative space revolves around my different work mediums and interests. In this way, I can go from the sound studio to the digital image studio, from the painting workshop to the little film studio, and from the carpentry and metal workshop to the little electronic lab.

Throughout my working days, I fluctuate from one pole to another, constantly using these additional resources. I test and renew my point of view, my perceptions and I find new options, new approaches and creative responses. It’s a dynamic way to reach my goals while combining development phases, tight deadlines and international tours.

The workshop:

The Storyboards:

The Studio:

All images courtesy of Herman Kolgen.

To see more of Herman Kolgen’s work, don’t miss Herman Kolgen: Inject & Dust as part of Alpha-ville LIVE at Kings Place, London on 18 May. You can book tickets online here or read more about the event in our feature here.

More: Website | Blog | Vimeo

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‘Where I Make’ invites readers behind the scenes of artists from many disciplines to share photographs and a little insight about where they create their masterpieces. See more from the series here.

My name is Dorian Nuskind-Oder, and I am an American dance artist living in Montreal, Quebec. I fell in love with Montreal in the summer of 2006, when I attended a month-long workshop in the city. I knew right away I wanted to live there. I loved the parks and the quiet back alley “ruelles”, and the reasonable rents. Quebec has traditionally taken great pride in its culture, and I could sense that the city had a rich arts scene. In addition to the big institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet, there are tons of smaller, experimental companies and venues. In 2009, I made the move from New York City and never looked back.

It was hard to narrow down the list, but here are a few of my favorite creative places in Montreal:

Belgo Building

Belgo Building
Located on St. Catherine St, right next to the Place des Arts, is a loft building filled with a variety of arts organizations. Mostly clustered on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Floors, there are commercial galleries, artist-run centers, and dance studios. A few favorites:

SBC Gallery often host interesting live events in conjunction with their exhibitions as well as symposiums and workshops.

Studio 303 is an organization that supports the creation of contemporary dance and interdisciplinary work. They host intimate, provocative performances in their studio space.

Also, check out CIRCA.

For a weekly overview of what’s on at the Belgo, you can check out the website for The Belgo Report.

DHC/Art
DHC/Art is a private foundation housed in two beautiful buildings in Montreal’s Old Port neighborhood. They host two large exhibitions per year and focus on international artists who, though well known, have not yet had major a solo show in Canada. Recent artists include Thomas Demand, Cory Archangel, and Ryoji Ikeda. There is no admission fee, and they are usually not very busy, which means you can enjoy the artworks in peace and quiet.

Short and Sweet (performers: Adam Kinner and Kelly Keenan). Photo: Celia Spenard-Ko

Wants & Needs Dance
Wants & Needs Dance is a company run by choreographers Sasha Kleinplatz and Andrew Tay. In addition to making their own work, they organize several regular events including the very popular Short & Sweet series. Short & Sweet invites 30 choreographers (or, occasionally artists from other disciplines) to create a 3-minute piece. A timekeeper is present and anyone who goes over the limit has their lights and sound cut. Experimentation is highly encouraged, and the evenings are a really fun way to get a sense of Montreal’s contemporary dance community. Most of the time, the shows happen at La Sala Rossa, a bar/music venue on Avenue St. Laurent.

Theatre Aux Ecuries
Aux Ecuries is a bit off the beaten path, but I love their theater space and appreciate the adventurous programming.

Performance at Aux Ecuries (“AVALe” by Compagnie Joe Jack et John). Photo: Adrienne Surprenant

Societe des Arts Technologiques
If you are interested in digital and multi-media art, there is the SAT, which hosts electronic music performances and immersive multi-media type shows, as well as residences and workshops. The Satosphere is a large, domed theater space which allows for immersive 360 projections. They also have a restaurant, the Labo Culinaire, which offers an “experimental” menu.

SAT Photo: Sebastien Roy

Drawn and Quarterly Bookshop
Drawn and Quarterly is a rad little bookshop run by a printing press of the same name. They have a great selection of contemporary writing, as well as graphic novels and children’s books.

Drawn and Quarterly Bookshop, Photo: Studio Happy Birthday

Montreal is a city known for its festivals, especially for the two huge summer festivals (Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival). Here are two of my favorites:

International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA) 
FIFA is an international festival of films on art. Their programming is a mix of documentaries on art and artists, video art, experimental film and dance film. In general the quality is very high, and I’ve seen a lot of beautiful movies at this festival.

Festival TransAmerique (FTA)
The FTA is a performing arts festival that programs both Canadian and International dance and theater. It usually takes place the last week in May and the first week in June. Tickets are expensive, but it’s a great moment to binge on performances. The festival also organizes panel discussions with visiting artists. In addition to the FTA, there is the OFFTA, which focuses on work by local companies, as well as a number of other independent events and showings. There is not much performance programmed during the summer in Montreal, so this always feels like the season’s last hurrah before everyone takes off until fall.

Dorian Nuskind-Oder will present a new solo performance on 31 May and 1 June 2014 at Studio 303 in Montreal. For more information about her work, please visit her website.

More: Website | Facebook |  Tumblr | Twitter

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My Creative Scene is an insight into different creative & cultural happenings in cities where our members and readers live. Browse through more insider guides here or contact us to write about the arts scene where you are.

Ryan McNabb, aka Fighting With Bears, studies ElectroAcoustics in Montreal. Take a break and listen to his tune, First Snow.

Hear more from Fighting With Bears here.

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