In honour of the one-year anniversary of Leonard Cohen’s death, we’re partnering with the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) to mount an installation entitled I Heard There Was a Secret Chord. The project, created by Daily tous les jours, is part of Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything – Une brèche en toute chose, which is a multidisciplinary show at the MAC featuring 20 works by 40 artists from 10 different counties, all inspired by Cohen himself. The show runs until April 9. Our project will also be available online.

Leonard Cohen was a national treasure – an artist, poet, painter, musician, singer, and novelist who didn’t lose touch with his Canadian upbringing. He may have lived around the world, but he was put to rest right here in his hometown, with services handled by the very same synagogue he grew up in as a child.

Naturally, there’s been a lot of activity surrounding this anniversary. Last night, a memorial concert, Tower of Song, was held in Montreal and featured artists such as Sting, Lana Del Ray, Elvis Costello, and Patrick Watson. The CBC is celebrating the “life and legacy” of Cohen with special tribute programming across all of their platforms.

During his lifetime, we were fortunate enough to work with Cohen on several occasions, including these four films:

Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen

Spend a little time with Leonard Cohen, circa 1965, in this informal portrait of the 30-year-old poet on a return trip to Montreal. Ladies and Gentlemen:

Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen , Donald Brittain & Don Owen, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Poen

Listen and watch as Cohen himself reads one prose poem from his novel Beautiful Losers four different ways, with each version producing a different emotional effect.

Poen, Josef Reeve, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Angel

In this experimental short, a young man, a woman, and a dog attempt to fly with wings more figurative than literal. Cohen’s music is performed in this film by the Stormy Clovers.

Angel, Derek May, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Poets on Film No. 1

Enjoy an animated interpretation of Cohen’s A Kite Is a Victim.

Poets on Film No. 1, Bozenna Heczko, Elizabeth Lewis, Gayle Thomas & Janet Perlman, provided by the National Film Board of Canada