A work by sculptor Charles Daudelin recently disappeared from its base at the Mont-Royal metro station, we have learned The Press. Investigators from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) are shrouded in mystery.
A Vertical strip in textured aluminum, dating from 1966, recently vanished from the platform of the orange line, towards Côte-Vertu. It was part of a set of 32 strips, each unique, embedded in the brown brick walls of the station.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE SOCIÉTÉ DE TRANSPORT DE MONTRÉAL (STM)
One of 32 Vertical stripes (1966) in textured aluminum by Charles Daudelin, integrated into the Mont-Royal station, one of which has disappeared.
It “has been reported missing for several months,” said Kevin Bilodeau, spokesperson for the STM, in an email. “Our Security Control unit studied the question and the available investigative elements did not allow us to determine the origin of his disappearance. »
“I’m the one who called them!” », exclaimed the sculptor’s son, Éric Daudelin, in a telephone interview.
Someone snatched it, I don’t know why. They looked at all the surveillance cameras, they looked everywhere, but they couldn’t find her.
Éric Daudelin, son of Charles Daudelin
Mr. Daudelin believes more in the thesis of a drunken vandal than in that of a burglar in the pay of a collector or in the thesis of the scrap dealer.
Other works by Daudelin in public space
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PHOTO PIERRE CÔTÉ, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Allegrocube (1973), sculpture located at the Montreal courthouse
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The fountain in Viger Park, Montreal
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Commemorative stamp of the sculpture Ice jaminstalled at Place du Québec, in Paris
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To make matters worse, it is the tape located right next to the interpretation cartel that has disappeared, which may leave some observers doubtful.
“It doesn’t move anymore”
“It’s sad, it’s boring,” said Mr. Daudelin, adding however that the priority was to replace the missing work.
The molds being lost, the only solution would be to take the impression of one of the 31 remaining vertical strips and make a copy in order to “plug the hole”.
The file is not moving fast enough for his liking. “There is a blockage somewhere,” said Éric Daudelin, himself a visual artist. “I don’t know why, it doesn’t move anymore. »
PHOTO ANTOINE DÉSILETS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The sculptor Charles Daudelin (left), with the architect Jean-Louis Lalonde, in 1963
“The STM is establishing the next steps surrounding this situation,” indicated Kevin Bilodeau.
Vertical stripes is part of the first group of works of art integrated into Montreal’s metro stations, at the time of initial construction. The work was restored in 2012-2013 during work in Mont-Royal station. The station was also under construction in recent years.
“Charles Daudelin, active for more than half a century, revealed himself to be one of the main architects of the renewal in sculpture and a pioneer in the field of public art,” indicates the National Order of Quebec. Considered one of the greatest Quebec artists of our century, he has earned numerous recognitions. » He died in 2001.