The sun is white in winter, red in summer—hot or cold, but always appreciated in Montreal. After six months of darkness, we happily soak up vitamin D. Montrealers slather on SPF 50 sunscreen and spend the summer outdoors, the soles of their sandals melting on the asphalt, their faces turned toward the sun’s rays.
Less than an hour and a half from downtown, you can soak up the sunshine with SOLEILS, a four-part artwork by artist Étienne Paquette that showcases the lovely town of Saint-Norbert in the Laurentians.
Saint-Norbert is under the SOLEILS
Étienne Paquette’s artwork, supported by the municipality of Saint-Norbert and presented in the beautiful former church of the Espace Culturel Jean-Pierre Ferland, serves the community through beauty and light.
It consists of four contemporary artworks that will be on display all year round;
- a Solar Organ, a monumental interactive steel sculpture that, like an organ, produces soft sounds based on real-time data regarding temperature, UV rays, and light levels. There are resting areas nearby where you can sit and listen to the sun for a while. (The Organ won’t play during the winter.)
- the Virevents Musicaux, which are on display in the main hall of the former church. These are six monumental musical instruments carved from wood and metal, which can be activated by touch or breath to create a soundscape. You can see the Virevents during free guided tours on Friday mornings throughout the summer
- the Iris Portal, a monumental sculpture installed at the entrance to the SOLEILS site and created using photos of the eyes of the 150 children at the village’s elementary school
- the “Façade Narrative,” which can be seen at sunset, illuminates the old church
You can also see sculptures inspired by the musical world of Jean-Pierre Ferland, who lived in Saint-Norbert and helped preserve the church.
Practical Information
Where? Espace Culturel Jean-Pierre Ferland, 4 Laporte Street, Saint-Norbert, Quebec, J0K 3C0
When? The outdoor components of SOLEILS can be viewed at any time / The indoor space is open Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The public can access the indoor component of the artwork, the Virevents musicaux, during free, self-guided tours on Friday mornings in the summer, as well as during events held at the Espace culturel Jean-Pierre Ferland, including the Saint-Norbert Farmers’ Markets.
What? It’s free!
