MARK YOUR PASSAGE
At the corner of de Maisonneuve and St-Laurent Boulevard, the St-Laurent metro station is one of the gateways to the Quartier des Spectacles. However, this place that people only pass through has never been developed and reflects neither the activities nor the flavor of the neighborhood it serves...
Concept and symbolism
The construction cone, precursor of construction sites and reminder of the ills of the Quebec road system, has struggled to shake off its negative image. The proposed installation integrates this everyday object in an attempt to reconcile the Montreal population with it by transforming it into an exhibition object. The construction cone takes on a new form here. A succession of entirely white cones without reflective strips, generating circular patterns, encourages the user to wander and pass through the site. By his very presence, the user brings the installation to life: lights located above the cones react to the surrounding movement. At the same time, the installation takes a stand on the subject of public transportation, encouraging its use through the negative memory of the urban road experience. Moreover, the regular repetition of vertical elements recalls the structural verticality of the metro kiosk and thus highlights it. The installation also aims to change the urban experience of winter. The warm and inviting light produced by the cones, combined with a soundtrack of soft and soaring sounds, inspires a fairy-tale winter atmosphere and allows the user to appreciate the place at any time of the day.
Insertion in the environment and interaction
The installation, located at the crossroads of several divergent neighborhoods, becomes a transitional place for multiple users. Public transportation, as well as the major arteries of Maisonneuve and St-Laurent boulevards, bring a large number of people to the site every day. By means of presence detectors, the passage of users triggers light animations. During high traffic periods, the installation is very animated, while outside of peak hours, the site is calmer and enveloped in a discreet warm glow.
In conclusion, our installation proposal suggests a new luminous ambiance that will bring a welcome breath of activity to the inhospitable wasteland that is the St Laurent metro site, surprisingly lacking in presence despite a high rate of frequentation. Borne ton passage will extend the reach of the unique atmosphere enjoyed by the Quartier des Spectacles.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Stage 1:
The installation appealed to the jury for its strong vertical presence, its deeply urban character, and its analogy to the language of the street. The strategy of interactivity with pedestrians and other green modes of transportation reinforces the purpose of the site.
However, the jury members questioned the technical challenges of installing a canvas stretched over the cones. They also questioned the outcome of the lighting effects. These aspects will have to be addressed in the performance.
Stage 2:
The installation is appreciated by the jury for its deeply urban character and its analogy with the language of the street. The use of the construction cone as the main element, in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, is a nice wink. The polemical, almost slobbery side of this installation pleases the jury. The same goes for the ecological aspect of the project, which allows the reuse of various elements.
The installation is very well integrated into the site and adapted to the users' circulation. The creation of fast-track routes and walking areas demonstrates a good analysis of the intervention context. The jury underlines the articulate discourse of the team members.
However, the interactivity strategy offers little surprise or renewal and the jury members question the relevance of the experience from the user's point of view. In addition, the daytime component of the project is rather weak compared to the nighttime experience. The concept would be more appropriate for a shorter duration installation. The project was not selected by the jury.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
10 scanned / 9 viewable
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- Presentation Panel
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