Observe these chairs. They are not mere places to sit. These are key elements of Les leçons singulières. This installation transforms our understanding of public space.
Les leçons singulières is the creation of Michel Goulet. He is a Quebec artist born in 1944. Goulet studied at the Université de Sherbrooke. He also studied at the Université du Québec à Montréal. He has had an international artistic career. He also taught at the University of Ottawa and UQAM.
This installation is actually presented in two parts. The first part of Les leçons singulières was installed in 1990. The second part followed in 1991. It is the result of a public art action plan. The city of Montreal adopted it in 1989.
The first part features bronze, brass and stainless steel. There are eight unique chair objects. A table fountain shows a map of the world. The chairs have everyday objects. These represent our environment. There is a wheel. A spiral. Even a puzzle.
The second part consists of six mismatched chairs. There is also a table sculpture. It shows the relief of La Fontaine Park. The bronze and stainless steel stand out. They invite interaction. These everyday items are cleverly repurposed. They enrich the experience of the place. The chairs face the park in a circle. This offers a stunning view of nature. The map helps people orient themselves.
The objects on the chairs reflect how people use the park. A newspaper. Shoes. A ball. Binoculars. A book. A lunch bag. These remind us that the park is for everyone. It encourages both rituals and socializing. It promotes friendliness and meetings.
Goulet sees Les leçons singulières as a metaphor. It represents the relationships between people. It also shows how people share and see space.
Michel Goulet represented Canada at the Venice Biennale in 1988. His public artworks can be seen in Toronto. They are also in Lyon and Paris. In 2004, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal held a retrospective of his work.
Goulet has received many awards. These include the Prix Paul-Émile Borduas in 1990. He also won the Governor General’s Award in 2008. He became an Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2018.
So next time you pass by Les leçons singulières, consider its deeper meaning. It prompts us to reflect. It asks how we relate to each other in shared spaces.