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L'espace des plateformes

In these crossroads that are digital platforms, our relationship with audiovisual media is at play today. Transactions take place, opinions aggregate, communities of meaning form and deform, and "conversational practices of the image" (André Gunthert) emerge, scattered in a collective becoming within a polyphonic framework. Thus, "The abundance that the Internet and digital technology have introduced into the circulation of images means that one no longer has to choose between appropriation and sharing; instead, they merge." (Mona Chollet). Indeed, it is this tension between appropriation and sharing that is explored here through the notion of platform space. Platforms are not empty shells, simple vehicles for the expression of individuals and communities. They offer us (or impose upon us) markers that contain or propel, in new ways, our modes of consumption and creation. The space of platforms encourages visitors to explore the creative practices of artists as well as certain specific, intimate uses of contemporary digital platforms. The emphasis is on the political dimension embedded in the concept of space. It allows us to reflect on power dynamics, the persistent inequalities in access and circulation within the digital realm, but also on the harmful effects of our relentless consumption on the planet, as well as the irresponsible race toward short-lived equipment. This exhibition, stemming from various disciplinary backgrounds, stances, and cultural areas, addresses several aspects of the role that platformized tools have taken in our daily lives. It presents perspectives that shed light on traditional media and their digital shift, on counter-models attempting to oppose the domination of a few economic giants, as well as on the ways fans adapt to these logics and, more broadly, on our relationship with online creation and sharing. This exhibition is part of the Platforms and Uses project, which took place in Montreal during the fall/winter of 2023-2024.
Curatorship of the Exhibition The Space of Platforms General Curatorship Christine Bernier, Marta Boni, Zaira Zarza Professors, Department of Art History and Film Studies Team Researchers, project Platforms and Uses. Cinema, television, video games, digital creation: Marta Boni, Christine Bernier, Zaira Zarza, Joyce Cimper (UdeM), Barbara Laborde, Guillaume Soulez, Vincent Bilem, Florian Body, Joa Neves (Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3). Student Team Text writing: Joyce Cimper, Kai Sen Trieu, Mathieu Simard 3D Modeling (SketchUp software) and Visual Identity: Renée Filbey, Agatha Lambert Acknowledgements LUDOV Faculty of Environmental Design, Université de Montréal Financial Support Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Connection Program Arts and Sciences Hub CRIHN CinéMédias Laboratory Labo Télé Curatorship:Christine Bernier, Marta Boni, Zaira Zarza Artists Anastasia Bourlakova Amanda Gutiérrez Tara Karmous Darién Sánchez YouTubers Adri’s Ambience Ambiance Magic Divine Subliminals Gibi ASMR Jimち ASMR L’ermite des songes Exhibiting Researchers Marie-Caroline Neuvillers and Gaëtan Rivière Katharina Niemeyer and Christine Thoër This exhibition is hosted by les Bibliothèques UdeM.