A new work of public art by artist Yann Pocreau adorns the intersection of Berri and Sainte-Catherine streets, on UQAM grounds. The triptych of green sculptures named Irregular diamonds pays tribute to the “proud people” living in the Centre-Sud district.
The oppressive heat that hit Montreal did not dampen the enthusiasm of Yann Pocreau, nor that of the small crowd who came to attend, on Tuesday, the inauguration of his third work of public art at the intersection of Berri and Sainte-Catherine streets, in Montreal. The artist, who specializes in photography, sculpture and installation, has made it his mission to increase the visibility of marginalized populations who frequent this sector, including many people experiencing homelessness.
The three bronze sculptures, in verdigris color, have orthogonal but irregular features. Their shape evokes an imperfect precious stone. Their neighborhood includes Place Émilie-Gamelin, the Village and the Cactus community center, which works on harm reduction, particularly with people who use drugs and sex workers.
“You will have understood, a project like this is based on questions of community, of collectivity! » exclaimed Mr. Pocreau, unveiling his work in the company of the person responsible for culture on the executive committee of the City of Montreal, Ericka Alneus. Yann Pocreau’s work was selected following a competition launched by the City. For almost two years, the artist led a collaborative creative process with the clientele of the Cactus center. The participants intervened on the sculptures through writing or drawing.
One of the participants drew his face, seen in profile. Another sketched several sketches of buildings and wrote this reminder under the drawings: “142 people died of cold between 2018 and 2022. Whose street? » Another went for a more prosaic formula: “It could be worse. » In total, more than sixty people participated in Mr. Pocreau’s project, who made a point of naming and thanking them all during the unveiling of his work.
Art as a refuge
“I have the deep conviction that art can be a refuge,” declared Yann Pocreau, visibly moved. I am convinced that art, particularly in public spaces, can change lives. I am convinced of its strength,” he continued, engaging in a real plea for the democratization of art.
It is with this in mind that the artist approached the Cactus center. Francis, one of the participants in the project, underlined the importance of this type of work of art to recall the presence and life, sometimes ephemeral, of the center’s clientele: “Many of the friends have disappeared and many Others will disappear, said Francis, present at the inauguration. The strongest will survive in the streets and the others will survive, engraved on the stones. »
Jean-François Mary, general director of the center, was delighted with the symbolism represented by the triptych. ” These Irregular diamonds are also a symbol of these new dynamics of inclusion rather than exclusion, of recognition of the existence of the other, who is ultimately not so different from ourselves,” he explained.
The director also spoke about the opioid crisis, the consequences of which are being felt hard in the neighborhood, the city and elsewhere in the country. The National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) has recorded, for the year 2023, 536 deaths linked to suspected opioid or other drug poisoning in Quebec. This number is stable compared to 2022, but is increasing sharply compared to the previous decade.
“We have never had as many deaths in our communities as we are currently experiencing. This work is also a way for those who participated to engrave their existence in bronze. A recognition that many do not receive even in death,” added Mr. Mary, before emphasizing that some people who participated in the collective work have now died.
The realization of Irregular diamonds benefited from the support of the City of Montreal and UQAM, which hosts the new work of public art on its grounds. “It is important, particularly in the neighborhood, that art takes place and brings joy to a neighborhood that needs it,” declared the rector of UQAM, Stéphane Pallage, before recalling that Yann Pocreau was a former student of the establishment.