Artur: The Original

Democratizing art through innovation and ecological commitment

Artur eye logo

The IKEA effect

We value more what we help to create. Applied to art, this becomes an ecological and symbolic lever...

We consume, but we no longer create — and yet

Among human activities, art offers one of the best ratios between deep fulfillment and carbon footprint...

Mission

Since its inception, L’Original art galleries have pursued an ambitious goal: to make art both accessible and transformative by placing it back at the heart of our social and environmental concerns. By democratizing art, L’Original aims to showcase artists’ talents while raising everyone’s ecological awareness.

A start grounded in reality

Dorian Verdier founded L’Original to respond to a concrete frustration...

Flow state / creation vs consumption diagram

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A Timeline of L’Original’s History

Explore the Timeline of L’Original to relive every significant milestone of our journey.

  1. The First Steps of L’Original (2018-2019) :

    2018

    A Citizen Project Taking Shape

    L'Original beginnings

    Birth of a Creative Community

    L’Original began in 2018 with a small team of 15 artists and 5 dedicated volunteers.

    Creation of visual art and upcycling workshops held weekly, allowing the public to learn and express themselves artistically through environmentally friendly techniques.

    2018

    A space for poetic dialogue and expression

    L'Original poetry club

    Launch of a weekly poetry club to allow participants to express themselves around artworks, blending artistic creation and personal reflection.

    These sessions foster lively and inclusive exchanges about art and strengthen community bonds.

    2018–2019

    Support and Guidance

    Dorian holding an ouvert board

    Under the leadership of Dorian Verdier, an 18-year-old student in economics and marketing at HEC Montréal, L’Original structured itself from the very beginning with a strong social foundation. With the support of Jason Prince from PME Montréal and the mentorship of Robert Dutton, director of the entrepreneurial hub at HEC Montréal, L’Original gained essential guidance for its growth.

  2. From Initiative to Official Status (2019)

    2019

    Legalization

    Legalization

    In 2019, L'Original became a non-profit organization, solidifying its long-term commitment to democratizing art and fostering ecological awareness through creation.

    2019

    Community Expansion

    Community Expansion

    The team grew with 25 artists and 10 volunteers, enabling the expansion of activities and increasing the community impact.

    Development of a multilingual website to promote L'Original's artists internationally, providing a digital platform for Canadian talent.

    2019

    First Exhibitions and Media Coverage

    First Exhibitions and Media Coverage

    Thanks to initial media partnerships, L'Original began gaining recognition in the local art scene, sparking interest and enthusiasm among many art enthusiasts.

    L'Original started attracting media attention, sharing its values and commitment with a broader audience.

  3. Artur and L'Original: Two Distinct but Complementary Missions

    2020–

    Two paths, one shared commitment to art and community

    Hand, plant, and brush

    Objective. By choosing a private-company model, Artur aims for rapid growth and technological development to make art accessible on a global scale. This structure enables continuous investment in AI-powered innovations and services that enrich the user experience and extend art’s reach to as many people as possible.

    Why a private company?. Access to private funding and technology-market resources lets Artur grow quickly and offer unique creation tools accessible from anywhere. This model provides the agility needed to meet the rising demand for co-creation and personalization.

    Impact. Operating as a private company allows Artur to lower distribution costs (especially online) and offer artists new visibility platforms without the constraints of a physical gallery. Democratization comes through economic accessibility: more affordable works and greater independence for artists.

    Greater accessibility through AI innovations. Artur leverages technological advances to distribute art at scale and ease access to creation while supporting artists.

    2020–

    An inevitable encounter

    Artur and L’Original embody two complementary approaches to the democratization of art: Artur relies on technology and AI for broad accessibility, while L’Original invests in human proximity, sustainability, and local creation.

    Combining Artur’s agility with L’Original’s community impact builds a world where art is both a public good and a field of accessible innovation. Artur therefore took off as a separate entity from 2020.

    2020–

    A delicate balance

    A Delicate Balance

    Rapid technological change now places AI at the heart of artistic creation, bringing new opportunities and fundamental questions. For artists, AI is both a source of inspiration and an unpredictable competitor, able to generate works in seconds where years of learning were once required.

    As AI positions itself as a creative actor, it redefines the boundaries of art, but at the cost of a tension between authenticity and automation. The question remains: can algorithmic art carry a truly human imprint, or is it bound by automated logic?

Landscapes and Portraits

The Power of Landscapes & Portraits

Imagine a beautiful landscape capturing the sea and the sky, or a touching portrait of your loyal dog. Each work is more than a simple painting—it’s a piece of your story told through art. Our artists can transform memorable photos into portraits, capturing precise moments and sincere emotions.

Artistic Engagement

Artistic Engagement for Social & Cultural Impact

Artur.art does not just sell artworks—it educates and raises awareness about the value of art. Every interaction with the platform is an opportunity to learn and develop a deeper appreciation of art. By engaging users in reflection and co-creation, Artur.art contributes to a more thoughtful and inclusive artistic culture.

Personalized Art: A Sustainable and Creative Investment

Return on Investment

Art is not only a financial return on investment, but also a cultural and emotional one. Owning an original, custom-made work of art enriches your personal heritage and strengthens your identity and social status. Artists from Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto bring their unique vision to each project, making each piece a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Magic of Bespoke Designs

With Artur.art, every custom design is a creative adventure. Choose from a variety of styles, such as portraits, or more specific themes like dogs, cats, and flowers. Whether it's for a birthday gift or to decorate your home, our talented artists are here to bring your ideas to life.

Become an Artist

Artur.art embodies the vision of a democratization of art where every citizen has the opportunity to become a creative actor. By facilitating co-creation and reducing barriers to access, Artur.art transforms the way we interact with art and support artists. Join us in making art an accessible, inclusive, and participatory experience for all.

Democratizing Art through Economic Accessibility

The economic democratization of art involves making the tools of artistic creation accessible to all socioeconomic classes. This can be achieved by providing equal access to online tools and platforms, ensuring that everyone can participate in the artistic creation process. By presenting engaging and well-structured information on artistic opportunities, platforms can act as cultural relays that connect citizens to various co-creation initiatives.

Reducing the Impact of Digital Art Standardization

The integration of AI art tools and automated printing systems has significantly reduced the cost of producing unique works. However, this reduction in cost and time can also lead to standardization where personalization is lost. To prevent this, it is crucial to reinvest the capital generated by AI-assisted processes into enhancing human creativity. Initiatives such as DIY art projects, which promote a state of flow and high engagement, strengthen the connection between artist and audience.

Personalized Art: A Sustainable and Creative Investment

Each person will experience their first encounter with a work of art differently based on their psyche. Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, developed the MBTI (Myers Briggs, 1921), based on Carl Gustav Jung's theories of psychological types, which is used to assess and categorize individual psychological preferences across different dimensions. We can examine this segmentation to try to understand how personality types may influence our aesthetic preferences, thereby opening different pathways for appreciating art based on one’s psychological profile. The MBTI as a unit of analysis is contested. Personally, I consider it an interesting starting point for observing and interpreting the various relationships between art and the psychology of the citizen. Individuals with a preference for Sensing (S) would tend to appreciate art that presents concrete details, textures, and tangible visual elements. These works, often rich in precision and meticulousness, capture their attention through the clarity of their components. Conversely, those with a preference for Intuition (N) are generally drawn to abstract art. These works, less focused on concrete details, invite broader interpretations and reflection, stimulating imagination and creative thinking.

Conclusion

Artur.art is more than a simple art platform; it is a movement toward the democratization of art. Offer a gift that brings tears, engage in a meaningful creative process, and support local artists. Together, let’s make every moment of life a masterpiece.