Observe how Au grand dam presents a paradox. It appears chaotic yet coherent. This monumental sculpture landscape is in Parc des Rapides. Jacques Bilodeau and CCxA designed it together.
Au grand dam features about forty elements. These marble and concrete pieces are sequential. They are also juxtaposed and inclined. The artwork invites you to walk its 47-meter length. The path faces the Saint Lawrence River.
Feel free to sit. You can climb or simply rest on Au grand dam. The light changes constantly. It depends on the time of day. LED bulbs are set into vertical planes. They project directional beams. These lights amplify the shapes.
Consider the site’s history as you explore Au grand dam. The sculpture subtly references an old dam. It also recalls the nearby Lachine Rapids. Notice how the artwork seems compressed. It unfolds like breaking pack ice.
Jacques Bilodeau was born in Garthby Quebec in 1951. Since the 1980s he has reused buildings. He creates art design and architecture. Habitation is central to his work. He makes active objects. These objects engage the body and mind.
Claude Cormier founded CCxA in 1994. The firm is known for unique urban spaces. They are known for innovation humor and beauty. CCxA has received over 100 awards. Their projects transform civic life. They combine beauty ecology and community.
Bilodeau’s work explores the oblique. Inclined planes challenge your balance. They intensify perception. This encourages critical engagement. Au grand dam is more than a sculpture. It offers a performative experience. Dynamic engagement enhances the materiality of Au grand dam. You contemplate the content and context. It embodies the specificity of the site. Au grand dam recalls the presence of a former dam. It also reminds of the spectacular Lachine Rapids.