Un/Covering Memory - Personal Reinterpretations in the Polaris Co

Presented as part of the month-long 2026 Polaris Festival, 'Un/Covering Memory - Personal Reinterpretations in the Polaris Cover Sessions' is an intimate exhibition and dedicated listening experience hosted at Remote Gallery in Queen West. The installation investigates how Canadian musicians dismantle and rebuild iconic tracks to explore identity, belonging, and collective cultural memory.

Reimagining the Canadian Songbook

For years, the Polaris Cover Sessions have invited celebrated contemporary musicians to select past Polaris-nominated or classic Canadian tracks and record radical, personalized reinterpretations. Rather than offering straightforward homages, these recordings transform familiar songs into vibrant new sonic expressions—ranging from Pierre Kwenders’ dancefloor-ready reimagining of Jean-Pierre Ferland to Kaia Kater’s delicate acoustic recalibration of Broken Social Scene's indie benchmark 'Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl.'

This exhibition places the audio archives alongside visual documentation, liner insights, and artist statements. Visitors are invited to slow down, put on headphones, and reflect on the elastic boundaries of music history and who gets to define our collective cultural soundtrack.

The Gallery Experience

Remote Gallery, located near Richmond Street West and Portland, provides an adaptable, artist-centered community hub ideal for interactive media and sound installations. The four-day presentation offers a relaxed space for music lovers, curators, and casual listeners to drop in, engage with multi-sensory displays, and participate in open dialogue about Canadian music heritage.

Planning Your Visit

Admission to 'Un/Covering Memory' is completely free and open to the public throughout the festival weekend. The gallery is conveniently located in the fashion and entertainment district, a short walk from both the 501 Queen streetcar and the 504 King route. Pair your gallery visit with dinner or drinks along Richmond or nearby Spadina Avenue as the city kicks off its annual celebration of artistic excellence in music.