Considering that the mosaic of Quebec City Hall is “shocking”, the famous filmmaker Denys Arcand affirms that it is “ridiculous” to temporarily hide it; it should instead be sent to a museum, says the man who criticized these social failings in his latest film.
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“Indeed there are similarities with my film, these are dilemmas that will arise a lot in the years to come,” notes Denys Arcand, in response to questions from the Journal.
In Testamenta historic fresco in a public place is covered with white paint, under pressure from demonstrators shocked by the representation of indigenous people.
Historically false
“What is shocking in Quebec is the image of the Indian chief kneeling in front of Champlain,” says Mr. Arcand. Especially since it is historically false, Champlain, of all French explorers, was the one who always showed the most respect towards the natives. He truly saw them as equals.”
Deny Arcand criticizes the decision to hide the work sporadically. “Putting a black screen in front of the mural every time a First Nations delegation visits is ridiculous. The only solution is to immediately remove this mural and place it in a museum where the context of its creation can be explained.”
-Outraged artist
Similar reasoning from the painter and mosaic artist Giovanni Gerometta, from Beaupré, who worked alongside the creator of the mosaic, Walter Del Mistro. “He was my first boss,” he said in an interview with Journal.
“I think it’s ridiculous to have done that. [la cacher]», expressed Mr. Gerometta, using the same qualifier as Denys Arcand. “If we had to hide all the works that do not suit certain people, we would have to hide many works in churches, in museums, in the Vatican, everywhere!”
Regarding the artist Del Mistro, Mr. Gerometta explains: “He was asked to do something along these lines and he did it. I am certain that it is not through his initiative alone.”
Mr. Gerometta is sorry about the tendency to destroy works almost everywhere. For his part, he pleads for the conservation of the mosaic at the town hall and for its context on an explanatory panel.
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