Three hidden public art treasures in Montréal’s downtown
It’s no secret that Montréal is known for its artistic creativity. Its nightclubs, theatres, and museums are home to some of the city’s most authentic cultural experiences – and yet there is even more art to discover without paying any kind of entrance fee.
With more than 1,000 works of public art in Montréal, the number of murals, installations, and monuments in the downtown area alone can round out your itinerary when looking for things to do. This guide provides you with just three examples for you to get started.
Di-Octo II
First up, we have Di-Octo II, found just outside the main entrance to Concordia University, one of two English-language higher education institutions in Montréal. Designed by Anthony Howe, this kinetic sculpture was donated in honour of both the city’s 375th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Canada. Constantly in motion, the piece has the ability to transform itself by leveraging the wind, allowing it to shapeshift right before your eyes.
Segment of the Berlin Wall
In the World Trade Centre, steps from the leafy Square Victoria, a slice of history stands defiantly on the main floor. In fact, visitors and locals alike may be surprised to learn that the segment of the Berlin Wall in Montréal’s downtown core – as well as part of its RÉSO – sits on the exact location of where our colonial city’s northern wall once stood. This laneway, under the official name of Fortifications Alley, was selected as the site based on both its historical importance as well as its current crossroads of international trade, tourism and transit.
Give Peace a Chance
Well hidden among the foliage of Mount Royal Park is Give Peace a Chance, an artwork by the artist Linda Covit and introduced for the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in in Montréal when the song was recorded at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Skillfully integrating the piece into the mountain’s delicate landscape, the famous words are represented in 40 languages, reinforcing both the musician’s desire for international peace and as a reflection of Montréal’s socioethnic diversity. The installation is most accessible when using the Peel Street entrance to the park.
To learn about – and plan your travels around – more of Montréal’s public art, visit the Art Public website.
Daniel Bromberg
As a proud native of Montreal, Daniel channels his education in history and his work as a tour guide, writer, and photographer to share his love affair with the city. His passions include the local street art scene, sipping an allongé at a local cafe, discovering new green alleys, biking, and reading at home.