Le Refus global: Revolution in the Arts

Home · Arts & Entertainment · Visual Arts · Le Refus global: Revolution in the Arts

Topic spans: 1948 - 2002

Le Refus global: Revolution in the Arts

On Aug. 9, 1948, a handsome young group of artists and intellectuals gathered at a Montreal bookstore to launch an anti-religious and anti-establishment manifesto. Le Refus global (Total Refusal) was signed by 16 artists including such giants as Jean-Paul Riopelle and Paul-Emile Borduas. It would become one of the most important and controversial artistic and social documents in modern Quebec society.

3 television clips

4 radio clips

You must sign in to leave a comment on this clip.

No comments

The 'dark age' of Quebec

Broadcast Date: Oct. 21, 1998

The 30s, 40s and 50s are considered the dark ages in Quebec. The chilling climate of the Cold War, McCarthyism paranoia and the repressive influence of the church lead to frequent bans and censorship. The Padlock Law, extolled in this clip by Premier Maurice Duplessis, allows seizure of property belonging to "suspected" communists. The law exemplifies the chill on Quebec society at the time.

It is against this backdrop that young artists begin to gather at painter and mentor Paul-Emile Borduas's home. At these informal meetings, they passionately discuss art, philosophy and above all the need for intellectual and religious freedom in Quebec.

The 'dark age' of Quebec

• Paul-Emile Borduas's house in St. Hilaire, 35 kilometres outside Montreal, was the gathering place for young artists and intellectuals.
• Pierre Gauvreau, one of the artists who signed le Refus global in 1948, described Montreal in the postwar days under Premier Maurice Duplessis as "pretty dull" with very little do to in terms of cinemas, theatres and galleries.

The 'dark age' of Quebec

Medium: Radio

Program: IDEAS

Broadcast Date: Oct. 21, 1998

Guest(s):

Host: Lister Sinclair
Reporter: Alan Conter

Duration: 1:06

Last updated:
Aug. 30, 2004

End of list