Didier Beaudoin, Quan Thai, Mylène Moliner-Roy
Archipelago | CCA Charrette 2015

The 20th interuniversity CCA Charrette solicits a range of imaginative, speculative, critical, strategic and pragmatic design scenarios for the future of the Montreal archipelago in 50 years.

Our Daily Vice

In order to compete in the globalized world, Montrealers of the future have reorganized their life. the city has been leaned, rationalized, streamlined.

In 2036, after a string of new regulations concerning the nationalizing of drug use, prostitution and virtual reality, the government of Canada adopted the revolutionary Bill E-67 (Act on General Prohibition of Immoral Behaviours and their Localized Spatial Deregulation).

Banning most of the acts of inefficiency and intoxication (amongst which drug and alcohol use, gambling, adultery, laziness and overeating), but allowing them without reserve in certain localized island, the act was a success on a surprising scale. Soon, most of the population was participating in periodical, choreographed rituals of transgression, where one would leave his everyday identity and gain a new one, in which he would participate in a process of the quenching of his vice.

Subsequent studies showed that the efficiency and GDP were on a spectacular upwards trend, while the crime rate in Montreal had dropped to its lower level since the data had been recorded. People were satisfied with their jobs and took pride in their role in the advancement of society.

I was excited to go to the island – where things happen. When coming back from work, I was picturing the whole sequence. I would meet with Sasha at his apartment and we would have a quick snack. I get grumpy when my system is in joule-deficit. We would talk about our day, and he would order a cab on the Interface. He would excuse himself for a minute while he packed his costumes and make-up and masks. Mine were always in the suitcase I had brought along. 

The Cab would be there quickly and it would take us to the dock down Pix-IX. Our Float would be there waiting for us, among dozens of others. While stepping inside, I would look out for people I know from work or from the neighbourhood. Seeing a known face at this point was always a strangely thrilling experience: an acquaintance would also be on the islands.

The Float would soon depart. Sasha and I would retreat to our changing rooms. There, we would change and get into character as our float circled the islands twice, in a figure-8 through the canal between them. We could then get a glimpse of the activity, while islanders could appreciate the sheer sum of their future mates. What an exhilarating time to live in!

Finally we would dock. By then, we would be someone else. Stepping out, the strange melody of the veiled signers, the zesty scents of decadence would seize us. The air would be charged, the sounds would travel at light speed. We would clear the last traces of awkwardness as we would accomplish the ritual dances. 

The night would just be starting.