-‘Pop-up’ work from Alexis Bellavance: Compression-depression on view for one week only-

 The Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG) in partnership with Art in the Open, is excited to present, Compression/Decompression, a sculptural installation by Montreal artist Alexis Bellavance for the coming week.

The giant inflatable work, which will be on display for the week of September 29 to October 4, was originally meant to feature in this year’s Art in the Open festival, however weather conditions made its display too dangerous.

“It seemed like a disaster at the time. The wind and rain made a house-sized inflatable piece impossible,” says CCAG Curator Pan Wendt, “but in the end it works out really well for everyone. By good fortune, there is a five-day gap in the exhibition schedule; a space is available, and the public will get to see this work over an extended period. With its scale, it will look amazing in the Sobey Gallery.”

Also showing in the Young People’s Gallery this week is an audiovisual installation from the Quebecois artist: Alexis Bellavance: ốps. This video work is based on footage captured by a floating camera that looks at the regular breathing of the ocean and the sky.

Multidisciplinary artist Alexis Bellavance is the co-founder of the Montreal performance event VIVA! Art Action and an active member of the artist-run centre Perte de Signal. His work has been presented in numerous events, festivals, and galleries in North America, Europe, and Asia. This is his first project on P.E.I.

Patrons might blink and miss these two unique exhibits, so Centre staff invite everyone to visit during regular hours this week to these works. The Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Experience Compression/Decompression, on display in the CCAG’s Sobey Gallery until October 4.

Photo Cutline: Alexis Bellavance, Compression/Decompression, Immersive Installation, compressed air, nylon, furniture, camera obscura, light. AxeNeo7, Gatineau, 2019, Courtesy of the artist.