October 2022

Ecotones is a research-creation project that explores the socio-environmental impact of contaminants in the soil of the Champ des Possibles (CDP). The CDP is a former railroad yard located on the outskirts of Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood that was rehabilitated into a green space in the early 2000s. Originating from a collaboration between Brice Ammar-Khodja [doctoral student member, Concordia University / EnsAD, Université PSL, Paris], Philippe Vandal [master student member, Concordia University] and the community organization Les Amis du Champ des Possibles (organization in charge of the co-management and preservation of the Champ des Possibles), Ecotones was held on the site of the CDP on October 14th, 2022. Consisting of a “walking” round table and an exhibition in situ, Ecotones prompted nearly 40 participants to reflect on the aesthetic, critical and social dimensions of soil contaminants and to explore new creative ways to visualize these imperceptible residues. The round table brought together different speakers from academia, the arts, community associations and the municipality and aimed to give different perspectives on this peculiar urban green space. Among them: Dr. Jill Didur (Associate Dean and Professor in the Department of English, Concordia University), Dr. Amy R. Poteete (Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Concordia University), Émile Boisseau-Bouvier (member of the executive committee of Les Amis du Champ des Possibles and political, climate and ecological transition analyst), Giulianna Laurent (project manager, Plateau-Mont-Royal borough), Brice Ammar-Khodja and Philippe Vandal. Simultaneously, an exhibition of works by Brice Ammar-Khodja and Philippe Vandal related to the contaminants contained in the soil was held on site. Two approaches were chosen: Symphony of the Stones (Brice Ammar-Khodja) explored residual heavy metals (arsenic, lead and mercury) and fluorescent forensics (Philippe Vandal) explored hydrocarbons.

For more information on the ongoing project and for more documentation, please check out the Hexagram DEMO29 page

Photo credit: Dave Gogan