THE COMPLETE URBAN EXPERIENCE: near-death-by-cabbie, an altercation with sled-touting pedestrians, a police-chase-worthy dash between malodorous office buildings, and a chorus of cell phone ring tones? This Saturday, the Canadian Centre for Architecture once again seeks to redefine public conceptions of urban experience with its wildly popular annual event, the all-night extravaganza Night of Sensations. Instead of distressing traffic, CCA offers massage, sugar shacks, guided tours, and a chance to join in a public graffiti mural and DJ workshop – all for less than the price of lunch. Individual activities range from free to $10.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the CCA, this multi-faceted event (part of the city-wide Nuit Blanche) is a salute to the aesthetic diversity and sensual experiences of city living. The young professionals at CCA have conjured up ingenious workshops for all ages, including the “All-Nighter Under the Stars” family activity in the afternoon, 16 readings of “bedside stories,” video games, an evening tour of architectural projects featured as finalists in the Prix d’Excellence en Architecture de l’OAQ in both French and English, a film screening, two Montreal DJs Lunice and Mana, and a “blind” obstacle course aimed at helping visitors explore their non-visual senses with a guide dog.
Previous turnout for the All-Nighter totalled nearly 3000 (including the guided tour) and this year promises to be equally well-attended, in part due to the wide range of local organizations represented at the occasion. A tour of the facility gives a clearer picture of the night to come. Renovated in 1874 to the design of William T. Thomas, the historic Shaughnessy House is a former home for battered women, and a beautifully refurbished space which has collected prestigious international acclaim.
After an intense battle for retention, the location was spared from demolition and reimagined by Phyllis Lambert in the 1980s as one of the rare 19th century homes designated for public use. A surprising archetype for private-turned-public design, Shaughnessy House is seamlessly integrated into the larger, more modern museum edifice. The House has become a symbol of the open-door philosophy behind CCA: “Architecture is a public concern.” On Feb. 28, the room will boast two fully-stocked bars and several screen-projection installations.
Touring the city with experts, sipping alcohol, browsing local exhibits, and testing technological gadgets are fairly ideal ways to inaugurate winter holidays. An evening that started as a private vernissage is now well on its way to being a trendy favourite of the student population, many of whom already call the centre a study lounge and library for their scholarly enterprises. Event coordinators have emphasized the educational aspect of the night, though they acknowledge that the main target of the after-hours party, which runs until 2 a.m., is the “17-37 market”. Perhaps this explains the chocolate shooters and giant inflatable plastic installation. And yes, I was told, you are allowed to jump on it.
For more information: http://www.cca.qc.ca/pages/Niveau3.asp?page=NuitBlanche2009〈=eng
Canadian Centre for Architecture
1920, rue Baile
Montréal, Québec
H3H 2S6
514-939-7026
April Pierce studied literature and philosophy at Boston College and Oxford University. She founded the Tone women’s journal while at Oxford, is an assistant editor of Pensées philosophical journal, and has published poetry in Boston, San Francisco and India.
