SiO2: The Science of Glass - All-new original exhibition of the Montreal
Science Centre starting on May 20, 2010

MONTREAL, May 19 /CNW Telbec/ - The Montréal Science Centre presents its all-new original exhibition, SiO2: The Science of Glass from May 20, 2010 to March 6, 2011 as part of the great Montréal, City of Glass cultural project. SiO2: The Science of Glass will take visitors on a voyage through the universe of glass technology and science, as it explores all aspects of the fascinating substance we know as glass. Discover glass as you never seen it, from its natural origins through its evolution in time, including its numerous, surprising and sometimes paradoxical properties. Be amazed by how glass is transformed into the countless innovations that have increased its utilisation tenfold up the modern-day, and finally see how it is recycled to perpetuate its life.

Did you know? SiO2 stands for silicon dioxide, the chemical symbol for silicon, the main constituent of glass.

Montreal, City of Glass

The Montréal Science Centre is the initiator and proud partner of Montreal, City of Glass.

Benoit Légaré, the initiator of Montreal, City of Glass and director of the Montreal Science Centre, explains the genesis of this large-scale undertaking: "As a member of the board of directors of the Board of Montréal Museum Directors (BMMD), I had suggested, some years ago, a major multidisciplinary cultural project that would feature glass, a substance that has fascinated and enthused me for some time. That was the starting point for the development of the Montreal, City of Glass 2010 project."

The BMMD subsequently undertook the development and coordination of the project, as the Montreal Science Centre started working on creating its new exhibition that would become SiO2: The Science of Glass.

"SiO2: The Science of Glass is also the perfect complement to the museum exhibition Montréal, City of Glass, and promotes a totally different and new vision of glass. The exhibition takes us back to the sources of a fascinating material that has been at the origin of countless technological innovations and has become a permanent pillar of our daily life. "

    
    Some of the not-to-be-missed aspects of SiO2: The Science of Glass:
    - Observe unimaginable glass specimens found in nature, the result of
      thunder, meteoric impacts, or algae!
    - Appear and disappear behind a glass panel through the magic of on-
      command opacification!
    - Jump as hard as you can on a glass panel without breaking it!
    - Closely observe a bullet-proof glass panel that has been fired upon!
    - Discover some of the amazing innovations that are made of glass :
      - Durable glass bricks and concrete used in construction
      - An optical fibre, thinner than hair, that can cut through metal
    

On the Catwalk with VERRE COUTURE

On Saturday, May 29, 2010, the Montreal Science Centre will present a unique fashion and design show, combining glass artists and fashion designers. The show will highlight the closing ceremonies of the Glass Art Association of Canada convention, and will be held at the Montreal Science Centre Belvedere.

Laura Donefer, master glassmaker and Philippe Dubuc, designer, will provide the artistic direction for the event. In cooperation with the Montreal Science Centre, they will delight their audience with works from a dozen Montreal designers and glass artists featuring stunning original creations.

Information and ticket purchases

SiO2: The Science of Glass, from May 20, 2010 to March 6, 2011.

514-496-4724   1 877-496-4724   Visit www.montrealsciencecenter.com for more details on this exhibition and other Montreal Science Centre activities.

On the Catwalk with VERRE COUTURE

Saturday, May 29, 2010 at the Montreal Science Centre

Tickets can be purchased by telephone at 514-496-4724 (Montreal Science Centre)

Montreal, City of Glass

Information: www.villedeverre.com/en/

    
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    To download high-resolution photos of the exhibition, please visit :
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About the Montréal Science Centre

First institution dedicated to scientific culture in Québec, the Montréal Science Centre will celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2010. Since its opening, the Centre has hosted more than 7 million visitors, staged more than 40 exhibitions, and screened more than 70 films at the IMAX(R)TELUS theatre in addition to organizing a number the thematic weeks in keeping with current preoccupations and issues. It has also hosted more than 1.2 million primary-school students as part of its school programs. As a result, the Montréal Science Centre is now recognized as a major science and technology institution.

The Montréal Science Centre wishes to thank its principal partner, the Government of Canada as well as its presenting partners TELUS and HYDRO-QUÉBEC.

For further information: Julie Mailhot, Press agent, Old Port of Montréal Corporation, manager of the Quays of the Old Port and of the Montréal Science Centre, [phone], Cell.: [phone], [email protected], www.montrealsciencecentre.com