The Mémoire ardente sculpture by Gilbert Boyer was originally unveiled on May 17 1994 by Mayor Jean Doré as part of the 350 year celebrations of the founding of Montréal. The pink granite sculpture was originally located on Place Jacques-Cartier, but when the area was redesigned in 1997, the sculpture was removed.
Only in 2012 on May 17 was the Mémoire ardente made available again to the general public, just around the corner from its original site, opposite Marché Bonsecours adjacent to rue de la Commune beneath the tree lined pedestrian promenade.
Mémoire ardente sculpture by Gilbert Boyer
ISO 100 – 20mm – f5.6 – 1/200 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)
Somewhat resembling a cube of Swiss cheese, the sculpture has hidden discoveries awaiting the curious eye. If you look through one of the many holes in the cube sides, you will see names of familiar streets and places engraved on the opposite inner wall.
Mémoire ardente sculpture by Gilbert Boyer
ISO 100 – 70mm – f13 – 1/25 sec
The metal pole standing adjacent to the main sculpture is engraved with the names of companies that helped in developing Montreal.
Mémoire ardente sculpture by Gilbert Boyer
ISO 100 – 13mm – f13 – 1/25 sec
Pedestrian promenade of Marché Bonsecours
ISO 100 – 20mm – f13 – 1/25 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)
I came across some great pictures of the Mémoire ardente when it was located on the Place Jacques-Cartier over on Gilbert Boyer’s website – worth taking a look (together with more recent images)…here is one from circa 1994 showing where it was originally located.
Original location of Mémoire ardente (source: www.gilbertboyer.com)
Having photographed quite a few works of public art over the last 20 months, I started work today on a new website that will showcase public art across Montréal. With over 1,000 public artworks I still have a lot to shoot, but my goal is to catalog them all. I hope to announce the site next month if all goes to plan.
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.
– Martin