During the Holiday Season, experience the extraordinary sound of Forty-Part Motet by Canadian Artist Janet Cardiff

As of December 19, 2013

OTTAWA, Dec. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - To give visitors the ultimate treat this holiday season, the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) presents Forty-Part Motet by Canadian artist Janet Cardiff. Publicly and critically acclaimed, this impressive sound sculpture is a reworking of Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis, a 16th-century English composer. More than forty choir voices, recorded in solo or in groups of three singers, are played back through 40 speakers positioned inside the NGC's Rideau Chapel.

The effect of the work on visitors is deeply moving, earning it a popularity rarely encountered by contemporary art. "Most people experience this piece now in their living rooms in front of only two speakers," says Janet Cardiff. "Even in a live concert the audience is separated from the individual voices. Only the performers are able to hear the person standing next to them singing a different harmony. I wanted to be able to climb inside the music."

Included with Gallery admission. Free for children under 12. For more information, visit gallery.ca.

A wonderful day at the Gallery
The holiday season is also a great time to spend a few joyful hours with family and friends at the Gallery. In addition to experiencing the unforgettable Forty-Part Motet, make the most of your visit and learn about a little-known piece of Canadian history by browsing Artists, Architects and Artisans. Canadian Art: 1890 - 1918, a fascinating exhibition that explores the energetic productivity of art makers and designers during a prosperous time in Canadian history. Discover Storytelling—an installation of contemporary video-based works—, and explore the national collection by taking part in a variety of fun, family-friendly activities in the galleries and at the Artissimo kiosk, or by taking one of the many audio tours designed to help you discover different stories behind some of the key works in the collection.

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Admission
Tickets: $12 (adults); $10 (seniors and full-time students); $6 (youth aged 12 to 19); $24 (families of two adults and three youth). Admission is free for children under the age of 12 and for Members. For more information, call 613-998-8888 or visit gallery.ca.

Hours
The NGC is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed Mondays. Open between December 26 and 31. Closed on December 25 and January 1^st. For more information, call 613-990-1985 or 1-800-319-ARTS.

About the National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st century, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. To do so, it maintains an extensive touring art exhibition programme. For more information: gallery.ca.

SOURCE: National Gallery of Canada