What if a sculpture could dance with the wind? Here at Vire au Vent Sculpture, that’s exactly what you’ll find.
Vire au Vent Sculpture stands tall in Parc René-Lévesque. It’s a unique wind-vane sculpture. Its design draws inspiration from nautical tools.
The base resembles a buoy. Or perhaps a lighthouse. Above, a large red frame is oriented north to south. This frame acts as a compass rose. It also defines the horizon.
Within the frame, a mobile silhouette moves. It depicts a person walking. Attached to the figure’s back are juxtaposed rectangles. These form a bird’s wing.
The wing catches the wind. This causes the silhouette to pivot. Like a wind vane, the human figure always faces the wind.
The wing motif appears on all four sides of the base. The walking person is a recurring image in Gilles Boisvert’s works. In Vire au Vent Sculpture, the tableau is different. The figure breaks free from the frame. It ventures out to explore the world.
Gilles Boisvert created Vire au Vent Sculpture in 1988. This was during the Un Lieu sculpture symposium in Lachine. Later, the Centre des arts contemporains du Québec à Montréal gifted it to the Ville de Lachine.
Boisvert studied at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal in the late 1950s. He honed his skills through internships, including one with Albert Dumouchel. In 1966, he took part in the Présence des jeunes exhibition. It was held at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.
Throughout his career, Boisvert completed many public art projects. One notable piece is Les oiseaux. It’s a mural measuring 27 by 3 meters. It can be found at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montréal. Boisvert’s works have been displayed in almost 200 exhibitions.
Standing here, you’re at the juncture of Lake Saint-Louis, the river and the seaway. Feel the wind. See how it interacts with the sculpture. Notice how the walking figure seems to step into the future.
Vire au Vent Sculpture is more than just art. It’s a dynamic representation of exploration. It’s a tribute to the spirit of adventure. It reminds us to embrace the unknown. Just like the figure leaving its frame, we too can explore the world.