La Montagne Retracée Installation

What secrets does a mountain hold? La Montagne Retracée, nestled along Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, whispers tales of Montreal’s past. This installation isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a time capsule, a history book etched in aluminum and bronze. La Montagne Retracée, meaning “The Retraced Mountain,” directly faces the entrance of the Côte-des-Neiges Cemetery. Its location is significant. It sits on a retaining wall along a major thoroughfare, a path trod by countless Montrealers throughout history. The artwork itself is a collection of symbolic elements. These elements represent Mount Royal’s rich history. They speak of its topography, its agricultural past, and the people who shaped its landscape. Imagine the farmers who once tilled the land, the families who built their homes on its slopes. La Montagne Retracée honors these anonymous figures. The artist, Francis Montillaud, envisioned the installation as a hybrid. It blends the abstract with the figurative, the scientific with the fantastical. It invites us to connect with the mountain’s past and imagine its future. At night, a lighting system illuminates the artwork. It transforms La Montagne Retracée into a beacon, a reminder of the stories it holds. Montillaud collaborated with EXMURO arts publics to bring this project to life. Their combined expertise resulted in a work that’s both thought-provoking and visually stunning. La Montagne Retracée is more than just a mural. It’s an experience. It’s an invitation to explore the layers of history embedded within Mount Royal and to contemplate the passage of time in this vibrant city.