Presence

2024 Recap

A first year of exploration, magical events, and meaningful encounters.

Exploring presence

We wanted to explore this fundamental notion of human consciousness through a kaleidoscopic lens. To do so, we invited three groups of people from diverse fields and practices to join us in questioning this concept. We also held a conversation that brought together a group of young participants.
All these initial conversations (in June, August, September, and October 2024) took place at the Cité-des-Hospitalières.
In a welcoming, calm, and open environment, the participants came together to discuss the theme in depth.
Théo Abellard, jazz pianist, composer, and performer.
Marie-Ketely Abellard, double bassist, composer, and performer.
Xavier Amodeo, horticulturist, permaculturist, and ecological transition advisor.
Claudia Atomei, Participatory budget advisor at the City of Montreal.
Ivanie Aubin-Malo, Wolastoq and Québécois performer, choreographer, and curator.
Sylvie Cotton, multidisciplinary artist.
Véronique Chagnon, journalist, editor, and essayist.
Dave Ellemberg, PhD, professor at Université de Montréal, clinical neuropsychologist, specializing in human brain development and plasticity.
Antoine Forcione, Master's student in Arts at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), psychoanalysis, arts, literature, and Buddhism.
Nicole Gaudet, Superior General, Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph.
Gabriel Genest, saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer, and arranger.
Jessy Govindama, communications and entrepreneurship at Startop.
Félissa Lareau-Carpentier, ecological transition advisor at the City of Montreal.
Sonia Lefebvre, co-founder of L’ÎLOT.
Alexandra Pierre, activist, author.
Émilie Martel, Co-Director General and Administrative Director at Sibyllines and Théâtre de création.
Jonathan Martineau, PhD, professor at Concordia University and UQAM, specializing in ethics, artificial intelligence, and the acceleration of time.
Martine Migaud, Qi Gong teacher, medicine practitioner, and acupuncturist.
Stefania Skoryna, choreographer, teacher, and mentor.
Ati Supino, teacher at Université de Sherbrooke, specializing in addiction, and practitioner in the Santo-Daime lineage.
Nadim Tadjine, PhD candidate at the School of Design, Université Laval, and consultant.
Maxime Tousignant, founder of Smoothop.
Florence Vinit, PhD, professor at Université du Québec à Montréal, specializing in psychology, psychopathology, and medical ethics.
Samuel Biddle-Bocan, Neige Claret, Vincent Lacasse and Michael Simard
Our intention is not to propose a consensual definition of this theme but rather to observe how it unfolds, takes shape, and connects to human experience, both individually and collectively.
Other conversations in various formats will be organized throughout 2025. Additionally, the outcomes of these initial conversations will be shared through texts, artworks, videos, podcasts, and experiences.

Nora Bateson X Brèches

11-20-24

Warm Data Lab

A talk

Nora Bateson's propositions deeply resonate with Brèches' mission and the reflections driving its first thematic cycle on Presence. Never fixed in a single idea, domain, or vision, Bateson invites a sensitive exploration—always fluid and in motion.
An internationally renowned speaker, researcher, filmmaker, and writer, Nora Bateson delves into the complex relationships within our world. She directed the award-winning documentary An Ecology of Mind, a portrait of her father, the visionary thinker Gregory Bateson.
Her interdisciplinary work bridges biology, cognition, art, anthropology, psychology, and information technologies to better understand the ecological patterns of living systems. Her books Small Arcs of Larger Circles and Combining also provide a bold and personal perspective on the study of systems and complexity.
Nora offered us a reflection on creativity as an essential dimension of life, underpinning everything that exists and transforms.
The Warm Data Lab (WDL), led by Nora Bateson with the assistance of Vivien Leung, allowed participants to explore "interrelationality," which lies at the heart of everything that exists.
On the morning of November 20, 2024, at the Cité des Hospitalières, 40 people gathered to take part in the first Warm Data Lab experience offered in Montreal. Framed by Nora Bateson, this exchange-based experience highlights the interrelations that create meaning, transcending the often rigid categorizations that shape our understanding of the world.
WDL invites us to reconnect areas of life we have learned to address separately—such as economics, health, family, history, and ecology—and then to link them together. Nora encourages us to place ourselves at the center of all these relationships through our own experience while engaging with the different experiences of those we exchange with.
Clic here to download

Brèche de minuit

music offering and winter solstice celebration

21-12-24 8:30PM

Brown Family - Cédric Dind-Lavoie
France Bernard - Joe Bocan
Lia Kuri - Secondsight

On December 21, the first Brèche de Minuit took place, an evening of celebrations and musical offerings where we let ourselves be soothed, where we learn and discover. This inaugural celebration brought together nearly 160 people.
What a night! The chapel was at its peak: full, luminous, and resonating with sounds and vibrations as diverse as they were harmonious.
The evening extended until midnight with delicious and soothing herbal teas from Herboressence, small cookies, surprises, and a simple and convivial moment to exchange with the audience and the artists.
Quelle soirée ! La chapelle était à son apogée : pleine, lumineuse, et résonnante de sons et de vibrations aussi divers qu’harmonieux.
La soirée s’est prolongée jusqu’à minuit avec les délicieuses et bienfaisantes tisanes de herboressence, des petits biscuits, des surprises et un moment simple et convivial pour échanger avec d’autres.
To the stage director, Myriam Sophie Deslauriers; to the lighting designer, Julie Basse; to the sound engineer, Jérôme Hébert.
Thanks also to the technical team, Carmen and Io from Teesri Duniya Theater.
A heartfelt thank you to the incredible artists who offered us so much beauty: Joe Bocan, France Bernard, Cédric Dind-Lavoie, Secondsight, Lia Kuri, and Brown Family.
Finally, thank you to everyone who participated in the event for your curiosity and attentiveness. Seeing the chapel filled for Brèches' very first musical activity brought us so much joy!
A Brèche de Minuit, always in a surprising format, will be held every year in the chapel of the Cité !
Save the date !