The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to present the first edition of the event BIJOUX=ART in the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion, from September 18 to 21, 2014. This will be an opportunity for both jewellery lovers and the general public to discover artists from all over the world and to contribute to the MMFA’s acquisition of new artworks.

International jewellery artists in the spotlight

BIJOUX=ART was conceived by enthusiastic volunteers, in collaboration with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, to encourage and promote the creativity and originality of international jewellery artists. Inspired by similar events held elsewhere in North America, notably at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, and the Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, Anna Mendel, a collector of art jewellery and art glass, suggested this original event to the MMFA:

“As a woman, I cannot help but feel underdressed when I am not clad in one-of-a-kind wearable art jewellery around my neck and wrists — although I must admit that I am in competition with my husband, who can be spotted wearing lapel pins every now and again. This event will be the first of its kind at the Museum, and I believe that it will be, and will continue to be, an innovative way to raise money for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, which is loved and valued by Montrealers and tourists alike.”

The twenty or so artists from various countries (Canada, Israel, United States, Scotland, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany) whose work is featured at the event were selected by a committee composed of Diane Charbonneau, the Museum’s Curator of Modern and Contemporary Decorative Arts, Noel Guyomarc’h, director of Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h, and Barbara Silverberg, director of Option Art.

Artists featured at the event BIJOUX=ART

Denise Landry, Lidia Raymond, Barbara Stutman, Janis Kerman, Patrycja Zwierzynska, Van McKenzie, Yael Krakowski, Karen Konzuk, Ashley Buchanan, Rebekah Frank, Meghan Riley, Babette von Dohnanyi, Naomi Mcintosh, Luis Acosta, Annemieke Broenink, Ek Thongprasert, Sarit Assaf, Dania Chelminsky, Nirit Dekel, Avital Coorsh, Noa Lia, Sara Shahak

Rare and unique jewellery

From September 18 to 21, over 600 pieces of contemporary jewellery for women and men will go on sale at prices ranging from $300 to $2,000. The public will be able to admire and purchase the jewellery in the Lobby of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion. The artists have agreed to donate 50% of each transaction to the acquisitions fund of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

As a non-profit organization, the Museum self-finances over 50% of its operating costs and 99% of the acquisition of new works. It is through the support of generous donors that the MMFA now has over 41,000 works in its encyclopedic collection, the only one of its kind in Canada. Funds raised in the first edition of the gala BIJOUX=ART will be used to complete the acquisition of Dale Chihuly’s magnificent The sun. This work of art composed of almost 1,200 rays of blown glass is on display for the second year in a row in front of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion, where Montrealers and tourists alike fell in love with it last summer.

A prestigious benefit event and an exclusive preview

To launch these four exciting days, donors are invited to attend a red-carpet gala in the Bronze Gallery of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion, together with 400 distinguished guests, on September 18, at 6.30 p.m. This will be an opportunity to be among the first to acquire outstanding pieces created by world-famous artists, to enjoy an elegant cocktail buffet with music provided by DJ Abeille Gélinas and a private tour of the exhibition Fabulous Fabergé, Jeweller to the Czars. This wonderful evening will culminate in a fashion show of original pieces of jewellery worn by personalities from Quebec’s art milieu, including Claudia Barila, Geneviève Borne, Virginie Coossa, Julie du Page, Isabelle Maréchal, Isabelle Racicot, Joanne Vrakas and Mitsou Gélinas, a member of the Organizing Committee:

“I agreed to take part in BIJOUX=ART without a moment's hesitation, because jewellery is a simple accessory common to all cultures and societies, dating back to the dawn of time. It symbolizes belonging, appreciation, love and, occasionally, regret, but it always marks a significant moment in one's life. Personally, art jewellery means the freedom to create and to design using astonishing materials. Since the MMFA's benefit event BIJOUX=ART will enable the institution to raise funds — particularly to keep Dale Chihuly's The sun in Montreal — it had everything to recommend it!”