September 21 – December 1
Pourquoi devrais-je m’arrêter ? (Why should I stop?) (2020-21) is a video installation shown across two screens. The work pays tribute to the resilience of Iranian women who defy the ban on practicing Varzesh-e Bâstâni in public, a traditional form of athletics. Leila highlights the women’s bravery using a video montage made from social media posts. Adding historical depth, she integrates a poem by Forugh Farrokhzad and shows solidarity by filming herself in a small space within the wooded area near her home in Montreal. The spaces’ octagonal shape is reminiscent of a ‘Zoorkhane’ (house of strength), a traditional gymnasium where varzesh-e bastani is practiced by men, yet forbidden to women.
Leila Zelli explores the concept of the Other and the idea of elsewhere, focusing particularly on the contested geopolitical landscape known as the Middle East. Through her installations, she weaves together images, videos, and texts sourced from the vast expanse of the internet and social media. Her work, positioned both at a distance and within the fabric of belonging, presents viewers with a delicate balance: the allure of aesthetically pleasing images is juxtaposed against the harsh realities of political turmoil and resilience.
Co-presented with MOMENTA Biennale de l’image with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Bio
Born in Tehran (Iran), Leila Zelli (she/her) lives and works in Montréal. She holds an MFA (2020) and a BFA (2016) in Visual and Media Arts from Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Zelli is interested in the relationship that we have with the ideas of “others” and “elsewhere” and more specifically within this geopolitical space often referred to by the questionable term “Middle East.” She creates in situ digital installations using existing images, videos and texts often found on the Internet. The resulting visual and sound experiences create an opportunity to reflect on the state of the world, the relationship with the Other and the actual effect of our actions on humanity.
Her work has been shown, among others, at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Collection Arts du Tout-Monde), at Dazibao (2023), the Pierre-François Ouellette Galery (2023-2021), the Bradley Ertaskiran Gallery (2020), at the Conseil des arts de Montréal (2019-2020) and at Galerie de l’UQAM (2020, 2019, 2015).Her works are part of MAC Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts collection, The Musée Pointe-à-Callière, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec’s Prêt d’oeuvres d’art collection, the Musée d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul collection, the collection of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the collection of Hydro Québec.
She is the laureate of the 2023 Prix Lynne-Cohen and the 2021 laureate of the Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Fellowship in Contemporary Art. She is represented by Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain.
Location
- Accessibility
32 Lisgar St and Park
Accessible entrance
– Note: If you have access needs and are being dropped off at the venue, use ’36 Lisgar’ as the drop-off address instead of 32 Lisgar. This will bring you closer to our entrance.Washrooms
Elevator
AODA compliant building
Parking: Limited Street, Underground Parking (Paid)
There is ample paid parking nearby, including a Green P lot in the building, a lot accessible from the alley between Dovercourt and Lisgar off Sudbury, and street parking on both Lisgar Street and Abell Street.
- Getting There
32 Lisgar St and Park
By subway: Line 1 – From St. Andrew Station, take the 504 King streetcar west to Abell Street, walk 2 minutes. Line 2 – From Dufferin Station: take the 29 Bus south to Queen Street West, walk 7 minutes
By streetcar: Take the 501 Queen streetcar and get off at Abell Street, just east of Gladstone. Or, take the 504 King streetcar. Get off at Sudbury Street, and walk north/west along Sudbury to Lisgar Street.
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