Source Sculpture

Why this towering human form made of letters? We’re standing before Source, a sculpture by Jaume Plensa. It’s a striking addition to Montreal’s revitalized Bonaventure Park. Source was unveiled in 2017, part of the city’s 375th-anniversary celebrations. This isn’t just any sculpture. Look closely. The figure, about 32 feet tall, is formed from interwoven letters. These letters come from eight different alphabets: Latin, Greek, Chinese, Arab, Cyrillic, Hindi, Hebrew, and Japanese. Plensa designed Source with a layered meaning. The interwoven letters represent how, like cells forming a body, letters create words. Words then create sentences, ultimately communication and community. This reflects Montreal’s diverse population, a blend of cultures from around the world. The name “Source” itself has multiple meanings. It represents the importance of water to Montreal. It also symbolizes the connection of the Mohawk people to this land, their ancestral home long before Montreal existed. Source is a reminder of the city’s history, its vibrant present, and its future potential. It stands as a testament to the power of language, diversity, and the flow of human connection, just like the nearby St. Lawrence River.