My Alerts The Lisbon Métro Donates an Important Work of Art to the STCUM
Montréal, February 3, 1997 - The STCUM is proud to have been selected by the Metropolitano de Lisboa to receive a magnificent sculpture by Joao Charters de Almeida, which will be erected this fall beside the Île-Sainte-Hélène métro station.
Within the context of its cultural program aimed at weaving ties with métro systems around the world and to give global recognition to Portuguese artists, representatives of the Metropolitano de Lisboa have visited several Canadian cities and it is in Montréal that they have found the site that would best display the granite sculpture standing 19 metres high. Since the site is on land owned by the City of Montréal however, the STCUM has agreed to transfer the ownership rights of the sculpture to the City.
The sculpture blends in very well with the outside environment of the métro station. In addition, it heightens the artistic nature of Parc des îles which already displays works by internationally renowned artists such as Calder and Sebastian.
According to Mr. Jack Chadirdjian, the STCUM Board of Directors' Vice President and municipal councillor for the City of Montréal, the STCUM is very happy to have been chosen by the Metropolitano de Lisboa, primarily because this choice confirms the ties of friendship that unite the two transit corporations but also because it is recognition for the efforts made by the Corporation to highlight culture and the arts within its network ever since the métro's inauguration in 1966.
It should be remembered that the Montréal métro is unique, owing to the diversity and wealth of inspiration of its stations which have been created by different architects and artists. It constitutes the most visited and diverse art gallery in North America, a gallery that, thanks to the gift by the Metropolitano de Lisboa, has been enriched and is now opening its doors to the outside world.
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