Remember Expo 67? La Giboulée stands as a testament to that era. It was a time when Montreal welcomed the world. Today we will delve into the story of La Giboulée.
La Giboulée is a sculpture-fountain. Jean Cartier designed it for Expo 67. The Canadian company of the exhibition commissioned it. It stood proudly in Cité du Havre. Cartier was a celebrated Quebec artist.
La Giboulée was more than just a fountain. Imagine a large concrete bowl. Painted metal rose above it. Large glass discs crowned the sculpture. At night these discs illuminated. La Giboulée became a popular attraction. It was a symbol of design.
Jean Cartier’s artistic journey is fascinating. He graduated from École du Meuble in 1949. Cartier then received a scholarship. He studied in Paris. There he learned ceramics and sculpture. His teachers were Jean Besnard and Ary Bitter. Both were renowned French artists. You may have seen Cartier’s work elsewhere in Montreal. He created the colourful murals. These murals adorn Cadillac and Papineau metro stations.
Sadly La Giboulée has suffered over the years. A 2006 study described its condition. The concrete was crumbling. The metal pieces were rusty. The glass discs were broken. The area around La Giboulée had also changed. Its original context was lost.
But there is hope for La Giboulée. Some people are working to save it. They want to restore this piece of Montreal’s history. The hashtag #sauvonslagiboulée promotes this cause. Advocates hope to draw attention to the sculpture’s plight.
Julie Bélanger is part of this rescue effort. She offers guided tours of Expo 67 remnants. She shared some additional information. The mechanical room has been filled. This complicates restoration efforts.
Michel Trudel of Mel’s Studios once offered to rebuild the fountain. He would have paid for water and electricity. However the land’s owner blocked the project. They want to build condos on the site.
La Giboulée stands near the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Other sculptures have been temporarily removed. This is to protect them during construction. Perhaps La Giboulée could also be restored. It could once again become a point of pride.
La Giboulée represents Montreal’s vibrant past. It embodies the spirit of Expo 67. Restoring La Giboulée would revitalize this public space. It would also honour Jean Cartier’s legacy. The hope is that La Giboulée will shine once more.