The urban installation project on the Place des Festivals is one of the three projects that are the subject of this competition. It is part of a global project that focuses on the enhancement and animation of three public spaces during the winter. Led by the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles, these interventions seek to energize public spaces and invite the general public to be part of the city's spectacle at the beginning of the winter solstice.
The approach chosen for these interventions is that of three sub-competitions inviting the creation of three independent urban installations on three distinct sites that are an integral part of the Quartier des Spectacles. The winter solstice period is not immediately synonymous with the occupation of public space, and the animation is often dependent on the weather. However, the success of previous invitations to the population to the Quartier des Spectacles leads us to believe that the interventions requested can only contribute to prolong the animation of the city throughout the year.
The overall project encourages innovative, open, low-cost creation that is resourceful, surprising, unifying, and that thrives on differences - creation that is the basis of a unique cultural experience.
The installations will have to be participative, leaving no one a spectator but including them all as actors. The interaction thus foreseen can only energize the public space and thus make the general atmosphere of the neighborhood more playful.
The objectives of the project are the following:
- to arouse curiosity and astonishment through creativity and the design of an interactive, playful and daring project
- to improve the appearance of the site during the winter season
- contribute to the frequentation of the sector during the winter period.
More specifically, the installation on the Place des Festivals aims to create a gathering place for all Montrealers and visitors. The installation must evolve in two phases: before and after the stroke of midnight on December 31. Thus, the installation will contribute to mark the passage of the new year by transforming itself permanently in 2012, and this for the rest of its life.
(From competition program)
(Unofficial automated translation)
The Jury is composed of 7 members and includes architects, urban planners, designers, landscape architects and members of the Quartier des spectacles Partnership. The Jury evaluates the Proposals based primarily on the following criteria, without obligation to restrict itself to them:
- the relevance of the recommended approach;
- the implementation of facilities that promote the attractiveness of the site (surprise effect) and the potential for appropriation of public spaces;
- interaction with users;
- sensitivity to the cohabitation of the various users as well as the consideration of the residents of the sector;
- the innovative qualities and ingenuity of the proposed enhancement and animation concept and the potential for international influence;
- the visual qualities of the concept, both during the day and at night;
- the aesthetic qualities related to winter and to the identity and positioning of the Quartier des spectacles (live, create, be entertained - creation in its natural habitat);
- the integration of the project in the space where it is located and the enhancement of the site in the landscape qualities of the site, the existing built environment and the historical context;
- the general adequacy of the Proposal to the technical, economic and ecological issues.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Appel de projets - Quartier des spectacles - "Concours de 3 installations urbaines pour cet hiver!", Kollectif, 2011
Dévoilement des lauréats 2011 du concours Créer l’hiver Trois équipes de créateurs changeront le visage de l’hiver au Quartier des spectacles, Société de transport de Montréal
Appel de projets - Quartier des spectacles - "Concours de 3 installations urbaines pour cet hiver!", Kollectif, 2011
Françoise, GUILLARD, Lauréats - Quartier des spectacles - "Concours de 3 installations urbaines pour cet hiver!", Kollectif, 2011
Quartier des spectacles: un concept où l’art visuel rencontre la luminothérapie dès décembre, Nightlife, 2011
