In early 2026, a space devoted exclusively to photography opened in the Belgo Building, in downtown Montreal. Run and financed by thirteen artists, Espace DÈS_ offers them studios, creative residencies, and a gallery. The project was started by Denis Rioux, a photographer and independent curator, who is one of the thirteen artists. Wanting to find out how the new space came to be and where it’s going, I talked with Rioux, who has clear ideas about its purpose.