A Mythical Animal in Canada’s Capital Region

News Release

GATINEAU, July 4, 2017

Mythe et évidence, by Canadian artist Mathieu Valade, is a sculpture of a unicorn inside a frosted-glass case. First presented at Manif d’art 8 in Quebec City, the work will be exhibited in Canada’s Capital Region, at the corner of Laurier Street and the Portage Bridge in Gatineau, until June 2018.

The work forms part of a series of sculptures by Valade on the theme “What is an image?” Glimpsed through frosted glass, the mythical animal “becomes at once identifiable and hidden, making it unlikely or even improbable.” The viewer has to interpret the image and imagine its shape. In addition, after dusk, the unicorn appears more clearly, seeming to reveal itself as in a dream, thanks to the artwork’s lighting.

Mythe et évidence is presented as part of the Art in the Capital program, which promotes urban public art and Canadian creations and adds vibrancy to streets, parks and plazas in Canada’s Capital Region. The program presents temporary, seasonal exhibits. Mythe et évidence was installed in Gatineau in partnership with EXMURO arts publics.

Quotes

“I am very proud to support the Art in the Capital program. It’s a wonderful way to showcase the work of talented Canadian artists, while making it more accessible to the region’s residents and visitors. I invite everyone visiting Canada’s Capital Region during this special Canada 150 year to take time to admire this amazing work and the other creations installed in various locations throughout Ottawa and Gatineau.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

  • Mythe et évidence was created by Canadian artist Mathieu Valade.

  • The work was produced and presented in 2017 in Quebec City as part of Manif d’art 8, and installed in Gatineau in partnership with EXMURO arts publics.

  • Art in the Capital is currently exhibiting several other works in Canada’s Capital Region. For a complete list of the works on display, visit Canadian Heritage’s Temporary Exhibits website.

Associated Links

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

Page details

2017-07-04