LE TEMPES D’UNE SOUPE

For 22 years, Montreal artist collective Quand l'Art Passe à l'Action, commonly known as ATSA, has created works that raise awareness around social, environmental, and cultural issues. Le Temps d’une Soupe is among their latest offerings. Staged in public spaces across the world, the project invites strangers to share a conversation over a bowl of soup, then summarize their time together through a “poetic portrait” symbolizing their discussion. The essence of this project has a strong alignment with our ongoing Respond to Racism program, which recognizes the importance of shared meals and rich dialogue in building bridges to understanding. In the fall of 2019, thanks to the collective efforts of numerous partners and funders, we worked with ATSA to present Le Temps d’une Soupe in Regina during Culture Days and Nuit Blanche Regina. 

To help us prepare a “conversation menu” specific to our community, ATSA Artistic Director Annie Roy travelled to Regina prior to the event. Friends from Buffalo People Arts Institute, Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, Regina Open Door Society, Street Culture Project, and Justice for Our Stolen Children Camp offered their expertise in developing a unique list of prompts. 

While the event was scheduled to take place outdoors, high winds and heavy rain resulted in a last-minute shift. We were incredibly thankful for the expertise of Production Coordinator Dayle Schroeder who secured an indoor spot in downtown’s Hill Centre Tower II. This space offered visibility to the public thanks to the building's floor-to-ceiling glass walls. While the weather was stormy, the space was a welcome refuge, glowing as strangers immersed themselves in a generous exchange encouraged by visiting and local artists. Shaunna describes the atmosphere: “You could see apprehension as people stepped outside their comfort zone and sat with someone they’d never met, but with a bowl of warm soup in hand, strangers became deeply connected in minutes. After participating, many stayed around to keep talking. Keep sharing. This project took the efforts of so many, and those collective efforts were reflected in the authentic connections we created.”

Photographs of local participants joined ATSA’s collection of over 5,000 images that include global participants from Mauritius, Madagascar, France, Lebanon, Glascow, Whitehorse, Iqaluit, Morrocco, and more.