Initiated by l'Écart… lieu d'art actuel, an artist-run centre located in Rouyn-Noranda, the event TRAFIC Inter/nationale d'art actuel en Abitibi-Témiscamingue investigates that which circulates and the diverse routes of circulation taken in this world characterized by the disappearance of distance, the obsessive concern with productivity, and increased surveillance. TRAFIC is conceived on a rhizomatic model. This event, to which the cities of Rouyn-Noranda, La Sarre, Val d'Or, Ville-Marie and Amos participate, intends to create an opportunity to explore the heart of this vast Quebec region, and to aim deepen thought on spaces of circulation, on bargaining and on power, as visited by contemporary art in an echo of the sophistication of technologies and communication networks in contemporary society.

CIRCULATION / BARGAINING / POWER AND THE LAW
Circulation
The concept of traffic suggests, first and foremost, the idea of great affluence. It refers to mobility, to flux, to overflow and encumbrance (of humans, merchandise or ideas) on a territory via different networks of transport or telecommunications.

Bargaining
The notion of traffic reflects, secondly, on economic and social domains. Many artists implement artistic practices known as "relational", which are comparable to the enterprise economy. What are they dealing in actual fact? The axe Bargaining call on connections, exchanges, negotiation, barter and distribution strategies.

Power and the Law
The increasing complexity of the systems in which the world moves and the increased surveillance lead to a general feeling that we are loosing control over significant issues regarding our future. The third axis of the event touches on questions of power and legality. This facet turns its attention to artistic practices dealing, either in the real or in the imaginary, with games of influence, clandestine operations or parallel networks.