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The writing's on the wall--again >> Local graffiti initiative tries to bring the Urban Gallery to life by SCOTT C
Ironically, in the midst of all the hoopla, a group of young Montrealers are trying to add yet another dimension to Montreal's ever-growing graffiti phenomenon. Working under the project name "Urban Gallery," organizers Eric Boudreau, Patrick Beland and Francois Provost are working to construct an open-concept graffiti gallery at the corner of Ontario and St-Laurent, beside the metro entrance. And while the metro incident provides more proof that Montreal needs such a gallery, the group's efforts have thus far been stymied. "It's like nobody wants to support graffiti right now," says Boudreau. "They consider it a thorn in the side of the city."
Sponsors staying away
Hired as part of a federally funded work initiative, the three collaborated with local non-profit organization Cafe Graffiti to get the project off the ground. "The first six months were dedicated to coming up with a plan of action," explains Beland, "while the next three actually made it happen."
It hasn't happened yet--though they have made considerable progress. After purchasing the land next to the metro back in June of this year for a mere $3,000, steps were taken to make the project a tangible one. In order to raise the $80,000 needed to cover costs, over 200 copies of the Urban Gallery's business proposal were sent out to potential sponsors like Bell Canada, Seagram, Canada Post, Mediacom and Hydro-Quebec--to which they received no response.
The group also approached Redpath Sugar as a potential sponsor, in light of Montreal's long graffiti history with the original Redpath Sugar refinery in Pointe St-Charles. This huge, abandoned building, first built in 1854, was rediscovered in 1995 by Montreal graffiti artists. It became a hall of fame of sorts, housing hundreds of elaborate pieces and murals. It attracted both those who participated in graffiti culture, and those who were just curious, consequently pre-dating the Urban Gallery concept by almost five years.
Now slated for condo development, the Redpath building has become off-limits to graffiti artists. "We met with Redpath with hopes of having them sponsor the project as the Redpath Urban Gallery," explains Boudreau. "We even wanted to build the new site with bricks from the abandoned refinery, but Redpath wanted no involvement."
City a supporter
Surprisingly enough, it's the City of Montreal that has been the project's biggest supporter from the start. They provided the land at a cut-rate price, and gave the group a letter of support to include in their sponsorship proposal. With the neighboring St-Laurent metro on the same lot, the STCUM has also pledged to do its part. "The STCUM has agreed to participate in the prevention of mass graffiti in the adjacent metro," says Boudreau. "This will take the form of an increased security presence and signs denouncing illegal painting."
So despite the fact that the gallery has already been designed, complete with interchangeable walls to accommodate the sight lines of patrolling MUC cruisers, a ready-made lot and a contractor in the wings, the Urban Gallery project remains short of funds. Most of the city's efforts are now devoted to eradication strategies such as cleaning, coating of surfaces and security; what's missing is the positive promotion of constructive graffiti artwork in the city--something the Urban Gallery organizers feel is very important.
"The city doesn't want to see the tags. They don't want to see Montreal getting destroyed, but they like having people in the actual graffiti community helping them get a handle on things and understanding how and why they happen." Somehow, they need to transform that moral support into an $80,000 cheque. :
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After graf writer DAMO and crew decided to redecorate St-Laurent metro two weeks ago, both the MUCTC, the MUC and the city of Montreal have been trying to decide exactly what to do about the region's graffiti "problem." Since the city has already created its own squad to remove all traces of graffiti, another police crackdown--including more fines for anyone caught in the act--seems imminent.