On July 6, 2017, the inauguration of La Robe-Cathédrale took place at Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Co-Cathedral, located at the corner of Chambly Road and Rue Saint-Charles Street West in Longueuil. This immense work by the visual artist Carole Simard-Laflamme will be exhibited from July 8 to September 4.

The Cathedral Tapestry

Exhibition: fragments of life in the Co-Cathedral of Longueuil, within the context of the ‘Sommet des Arts et de la Musique’ (SAM) in Longueuil.

No less than 400 people from different cultures participated in the creation of this work by contributing a bit of fabric, a bit of themselves as witness to their identity. The fabric opens up a world of passion, sufferings, travels, desires and genealogy.

"It is a masterful work that tells hundreds of stories and is raised up in a place larger than life. To experience the extent of the work and the emotional charge that emerges from these pieces of superb fabric, it is necessary to come to the actual site," said Longueuil Mayor Caroline St-Hilaire.

An implied reference to the “Vitruvius Man” by Leonardo da Vinci, La Robe-Cathedrale comprises twelve superimposed rows of eight solidly-structured modules made up of intertwined strips of intertwined fabrics. According to its layout, its colors and its textures, it relates the development of human life in twelve stages, from birth to death. With her work, the artist wanted to amplify creativity and recall the courage and toil of human builders and creators; artisans and artists of the world, musicians, poets, architects living near the cathedral.

Previously exhibited at Église Saint-Eustache in Paris during the UNESCO International Festival of Cultural Diversity, La Robe-Cathédrale is displayed in Longueuil for a limited time. This project is in connection with the Museum of Civilization in Quebec City which is exhibiting La Robe des Nations by Carole Simard-Laflamme, until February 2018.

The project is being carried out through the financial participation of Luc Fortin, Minister of Culture and Communications; Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism; Lucie Charlebois, Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region; Nicole Ménard, President of the Government Caucus and MP for Laporte; the Caisse populaire Desjardins du Vieux-Longueuil, in partnership with Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Co-Cathedral.

We are reminded that this exhibition is held within the framework of the ‘Summit of Arts and Music’ (SAM), presented by the City of Longueuil from July 11 to 16, 2017, and offers close to thirty cultural events of all kinds that will take place in the four corners of the region. Digital art, urban art, cinema, dance, theater and literature, among other things, will be offered to the public free of charge. The complete program is available online at longueuil.quebec/sam.

About Longueuil

Modern and future-oriented, Longueuil is the principle city of the larger agglomeration of cities in the region of Longueuil, which includes more than 425,000 people. Longueuil is recognized for the quality of the essential services it offers to its population, for its rich and varied cultural programming, and for its strong potential for economic development. Strengthened by its 360-year history, Longueuil also offers a stimulating and welcoming living environment conducive to the well-being of families. In Longueuil spacious green spaces, peaceful residential and urban areas as well as a prosperous business section all co-exist in harmony.

Translated from:   SMAC Communications   Telephone: 579-721-3232    presse@smaccom.com