VENICE CALLING
when the artistic collective BGL—Jasmin Bilodeau, Sébastien Giguère and Nicolas Laverdière—was selected to represent Canada at the 56th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition this year (from May 9 to November 22), its members felt both shock and awe. “There were really different reactions from all three of us,” says Bilodeau. “We were mostly just very surprised. We never thought we’d get that call.”
The Quebec City-based trio, who met at Université Laval in 1996 and have been working together ever since, are known for their humorous site-specific installations that call into question our fascination with popular culture. And while they can’t reveal their plans for the Canada Pavilion until the opening, they ensure that it won’t disappoint. “The viewer has to take pleasure in the work,” says Bilodeau. “With any art, if you want to go back to see it the next day, that’s a good sign.”