MMFA 2017: Revolution

REVOLUTION at the MMFA
An immersive and musical exhibition of the late 1960s

June 17 – October 9, 2017

The title of this musical exhibition refers to the words of the Beatles’ song Revolution, composed by John Lennon in 1968 in response to several violent political protests that took place that year, including the May 68 protests in Paris. The exhibition explores the context for the transformations in Western society, driven by young people with a deep desire for change and freedom. From Flower Power to the Black Panthers, miniskirts to the first man on the moon, From Expo 67 to Woodstock, the exposition recreates the cultural, social, artistic and technological “explosion” that occurred between 1966 and 1970, the repercussions of which are still being felt today.

The exhibition REVOLUTION was initiated by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is presenting this exhibition as part of the official programming of Montreal’s 375th anniversary. It offers its own version and layout of the exhibition as it takes visitors on a trip through time, exploring the ideals of the late 1960s as expressed in music, film, fashion design, and also activism.

This exhibition brings together over 700 works and documents – clothing, designs, posters, album covers, publications, works of art, photos, archival documents, film clips and music – revealing the lifestyle, dreams and protest movements of an optimistic, militant and pacifist generation that sought to break away from the values of the past.

  

The show includes a number of works from the MMFA’s collection by artists like Gilles Boisvert, Pierre Ayot, Antoine Desilets, Clara Gutsche and Jacques Hurtubise as well as audiovisual material from 1960s Quebec that illustrate famous events of that era, such as the Bed-in by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in Montreal, L’Osstidcho, the Quiet Revolution and the October Crisis.

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For more information about the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts exhibitions and activities, visit the museum's website.

The exhibition is held at the MMFA's Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion – Level 2.