Wind whispers through steel. Here at The Passing Song, history and art intertwine. The Passing Song sculpture stands in René-Lévesque Park. It is a creation of Catherine Widgery.
Born in Pittsburgh, Catherine Widgery graduated from Yale University in 1975. Her art integrates light and wind. Widgery encourages the integration of nature and human culture.
Look closely at The Passing Song. A dome of steel pieces forms the main structure. The steel pieces are shaped like beaver pelts. They swarm around an open central point. Twelve masts surround and support the dome. The masts are anchored in the ground. The structure rests on a circle of slabs. Maps of waterways are on the slabs. These waterways were important for trade in New France.
The artwork’s motifs tell a story. Animal pelts evoke the fur trade. The slab designs depict watercourses used for transport. The Passing Song invites you to take refuge under its dome. The dome amplifies the sound of the wind. This enhanced sensory reality connects you to culture and history.
The name The Passing Song has special meaning. It is a Cherokee expression. It refers to the wind. This wind is heard when a spirit leaves a body. The spirit then flies into nature. The artwork recalls this invisible trace. It is an evanescent memory.
The Passing Song first appeared in 1992. It was part of the Salon international de la sculpture extérieure. The Centre des arts contemporains du Québec à Montréal organized the event. It celebrated Montréal’s 350th anniversary. The theme was “Aux quatre vents” meaning to the four winds. Twelve artworks were created for the occasion. They were displayed on the promenade of the Old Port of Montréal. After the event, The Passing Song found its permanent home. It was installed in René-Lévesque Park in Lachine.
Widgery’s other public art projects include Light Storm. It was produced at the Mesa Arts Centre in Arizona in 2005. Pass Through The Land was created in Denver, Colorado in 2001.
Catherine Widgery received several awards. These include the premier prix for Tidal Song at the TGK 2012 International Competition in 2012. She became a member of the Académie Royale des arts du Canada in 2002.
Step under the dome of The Passing Song. Listen to the wind. Feel the connection to history. Experience the art. The Passing Song is more than just a sculpture. It is a journey. It connects us to the past. It reminds us of the present. It whispers of the spirit within nature.