VENICE.- This year, the virtual reality section of the Venice Biennale, entitled Venice VR Expanded, will exceptionally take place in a handful of satellite locations around the world. Happening from September 2nd to 12th, the Venice Mostra (77th edition of the Venice International Film Festival) will open its selection of virtual reality works, featuring several world premieres, at leading cultural venues from the international XR scene, including the PHI Centre.

Having maintained strong ties with the Biennale for several years, the PHI Centre is honoured to announce that it will be the only Canadian institution to be part of these satellite locations, alongside Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, Beijing and other major cities. This is a unique opportunity to offer the Montreal public access to this world-class VR lineup. The selection’s 44 works are usually reserved for a limited group of cinephiles that are able to travel to Venice’s cinemas.




The Venice VR Expanded programming, as well as the opening of the box office, will become available in the coming days.

For the first time in its long and revered history, the Venice Biennale is very pleased to collaborate with a prestigious network of international art institutions to present Venice VR Expanded. The PHI Centre was the very first venue that we approached for this because it is the undisputed world leader in supporting artists working in immersive art and in promoting this new contemporary art to the public. We are very happy and proud of this new and innovative collaboration. --Michel Reilhac and Liz Rosenthal, Venice VR Expanded curators

Welcoming the works of Venice VR Expanded provides an occasion to confirm the scope of DESTINATION: PHI, through which PHI aims to be a place whose movement regenerates a multidimensional art. The Centre and the Foundation invite visitors to live their own odyssey, rich in encounters, inspirations and interrogations, via exhibitions and numerous multidisciplinary initiatives, both material and virtual.

To ensure a safe experience for everyone, the PHI team has carefully followed the health protocol drawn up by Public Health authorities. Additional measures have been implemented to clean the virtual reality headsets. In addition to being cleaned thoroughly with antibacterial wipes, ultraviolet rays are used to disinfect the headsets between users via the CleanBox sterilization system. The PHI Centre spaces are also equipped with new air filters that feature a high quality similar to that of operating rooms. Everything at the Centre is set up to provide both peace of mind and an enriching experience.