Public Art, Nature and the City
Representations of nature have existed since time immemorial. In any given art historical tradition, we find unique representations of the natural world, each with their own significance and symbolism.
About this tour
Tour duration: 34 minutes
In this tour, we will experience eight artworks in the Concordia public art collection through the theme of ‘nature and the city,’ exploring this question in both formal and art-historical terms. In the context of a university campus that is nestled into a downtown centre, we ask the viewer to contemplate how images and evocations of nature contribute to the role of public art in city life.
We invite you to pause the audio and take a closer look at the artwork at any time.
Works you'll see on this tour
1. Seascape and the Sublime by Holly King
This is the first stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
A print 4 metres in height, with half the composition featuring blue and aqua mottled with clouds in peach to suggest sunrise or sunset. A large boulder is tucked in the left foreground, light reflected off its surface. The waves of the foreground suggest a texture and sheen like melted glass.
Artwork location
EV Building, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W.
Directions
Start listening to the tour at the top of the escalators heading to the metro level. The artwork is located at the bottom.
Or
Take elevators to level SS2. Exit elevator right and travel down the corridor through the double doors into the EV Building metro level atrium.
Accessibility
The building entrance features automatic doors. Elevators located across from the escalators. Find inclusive washrooms in the EV Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
2. The Four Seasons by Yehouda Chaki
This is the second stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
MB Building, 1450 Guy St.
Directions
Enter the MB Building tunnel to the left. The artwork is in the middle of the tunnel.
Accessibility
The tunnel entrance features automatic doors.There is a ramp to the left. Find inclusive washrooms in the MB Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
3. Untitled, Untitled, and Hanging Form #3 by Gerald Gladstone
This is the third stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
MB Building, 1450 Guy St.
Directions
From the MB tunnel metro level, enter the MB Building. The artworks are suspended from the ceiling.
Accessibility
The tunnel features automatic doors. Find inclusive washrooms in the MB Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
4. Nacelle by Pierre Blanchette
This is the fourth stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
MB Building, 1450 Guy St.
Directions
Either take the escalator to your right and look up or access the ramp and follow signs to the elevators. Take the elevator to (RC), exit right, look up. The artwork envelops the floating conference room.
Accessibility
There is seating nearby. Find inclusive washrooms in the MB Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
5. Lierre sur Pierre by Geneviève Cadieux
This is the fifth stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
MB Building, 1450 Guy St.
Directions
Exit the building. Cross De Maisonneuve Boulevard. Look back to the building across the street. The artwork is on the façade.
Accessibility
The building exit features automatic doors. Find inclusive washrooms in the MB Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
6. Acer Concordiae by Kamila Wozniakowska
This is the sixth stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
Located in the tunnel between the Guy-Concordia metro entrance or 1400 or 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. or 1435 Guy St.
Directions
Enter Guy-Concordia metro entrance and take the escalators and follow signs towards the Concordia tunnel or enter the doors to the right of 1435 Guy St. and take the elevators to level SS2, exit elevator right and head down the corridor through the double doors. Once past the doors follow the signs toward the Concordia tunnel from the metro entrance. The artwork is on the upper left throughout the tunnel.
Accessibility
The building features automatic doors. There is seating nearby. Find inclusive washrooms in the GM Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
7. Untitled by Jean McEwen
This is the seventh stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
Hall Building, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
Directions
At the end of the tunnel, follow signs to the Hall Building and take escalators. Or travel through doors, turn right to find the elevator. Take the elevator to the second floor and exit right. The artwork is in the windows bordering the mezzanine lounge area.
Accessibility
The building features automatic doors. There is seating nearby. Find inclusive washrooms in the Hall Building.
Listen to the audio guide
Read the script
8. Untitled by Nicolas Baier and Cabinet Braun-Braën
This is the final stop on the Public Art, Nature and the City tour.
Artwork location
EV Building, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W.
Directions
Take the elevator or escalator down one level to exit the Hall Building at ground level. Head to 1411 Mackay St. Look across the street and up. The artwork is on the façade, at the corner of Ste-Catherine and Mackay Streets.
Accessibility
The building features automatic doors. Find inclusive washrooms in the EV Building.
