MONTREAL, Nov. 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - One year after its commitment to the business community at the Je vois Montréal event, National Bank is pleased to announce the composition of the selection committee for the National Bank Parcours Galerie. Spanning 4.5 km, this art corridor will be a focal point between the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and downtown Montreal.

In addition to John Zeppetelli, Director and Chief Curator of the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, the committee members will be Phyllis Lambert, architect and founder of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Louise Déry, Quebec art curator and historian, and Stéphane La Rue, artist, as well as representatives from National Bank and the Fondation Sandra et Alain Bouchard.

Renowned artists Adad Hannah, Patrick Bernatchez and Alain Paiement have agreed to take part in the contest and will be given the opportunity to present their art concepts in more detail to the selection committee on December 15. Regardless of which project is ultimately selected, the National Bank Parcours Galerie will welcome visitors arriving at the Montreal airport and will then continue on the wall that serves as a noise barrier along Highway 20, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who drives by it.

"Montreal is a dynamic city with a reputation for innovation. And that is exactly what travellers will be able to see after touching down at the airport," explained Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank. "The Bank is proud to be launching this major project."

Robert Poëti, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, noted that the government applauds this bold new initiative. "By integrating art into public spaces, the National Bank Parcours Galerie will allow Montreal to further cement its reputation as a vibrant, creative city. The selected work will brighten the drive of the thousands who take this route between the airport and downtown Montreal, and shine a positive light on our city."

The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal will be acting as artistic partner and guide throughout the project. "I am pleased to be involved in this ambitious project that brings art out into the open for the public to enjoy," stated John Zeppetelli. "We are thrilled for all Montrealers and visitors to the city."

Private partners have also indicated that they are interested in helping to make the National Bank Parcours Galerie a reality. For example, the Fondation Sandra et Alain Bouchard has confirmed its commitment as the project's patron.

Various steps have already been taken to ensure that the artwork is completed in time for the 375th anniversary of Montreal's founding in 2017. More specifically, a feasibility study was done last spring by the Credo advisory services firm, a number of concepts were evaluated by the production teams headed by Sid Lee in cooperation with the Quebec ministry of transport, and the artist selection committee was formed.

Partners of the National Bank Parcours Galerie
National Bank would like to acknowledge the involvement and support of the following partners: Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, Aéroports de Montréal, Google and the Fondation Sandra et Alain Bouchard.

For more information: facebook.com/parcoursgalerie

About National Bank of Canada
With $216 billion in assets as at July 31, 2015, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. The Bank has more than 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Fact Sheet

Adad Hannah: Born in New York in 1971, Adad Hannah spent his childhood in Israel and England and now lives and works in Montreal and Vancouver. Well known to visitors of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as the artist behind the installation of limestone blocks next to the museum, he is also very much in demand on the international museum scene. His living, filmed and outdoor works—such as the living representation of Rodin's The Burghers of Calais created with filmmaker Denys Arcand in Paris—constitute an unmistakable signature. In 2009, he received the Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award, which is given by the Canada Council for the Arts to recognize outstanding achievement by Canadian mid-career artists. http://adadhannah.com

Patrick Bernatchez: Born in 1972, Montreal artist Patrick Bernatchez drew special attention for his films I Feel Cold Today and Chrysalide: Empereur at the Québec Triennial 2008 organized by the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal. His works have been featured in a number of solo exhibitions held in locations such as Berlin, Paris and the Netherlands. He has participated in many contemporary art group exhibitions, events and fairs ranging from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art to Carriageworks in Sydney, Australia, and the Rencontres internationales Paris/Berlin/Madrid New Cinema and Contemporary Art (2008, 2009). He was the Quebec finalist for the Sobey Art Award in 2010. http://www.patrickbernatchez.com/

Alain Paiement: Born in Montreal in 1960, artist Alain Paiement has taught at the University of Ottawa, Université de Montréal, Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). In 1992, he became the first Quebecer to be invited to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City for the exhibition Power of the City/City of Power. In addition, he participated in the Paris Mois de la photographie in 1996, the third Tokyo international photography biennial in 1999, the Tomorrow Forever exhibition at the Krems Kunsthalle in Austria and ARCOmadrid in 2004 and 2005. More recently, he took part in the Alice in Wonderland exhibition in Turku, Finland and Cadiz, Spain (2011-12) and Lost in Landscape at the Contemporary and Modern Art Museum in Trento Italy (2013). He was named Brussels culture ambassador in 1999 and, among other awards, received the Prix Graff in 1997 and the Louis-Comtois Award in 2002. http://huguescharbonneau.com/en/alain-paiement/

SOURCE National Bank of Canada

Video with caption: "Video: National Bank Parcours Galerie". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOSJxj4tyio