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The Montréal half of the cultural exchange between Bruxelles Mobilité and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) was fulfilled today, with the unveiling of Soleil de minuit, a work by Franco-Belgian artist Adrien Lucca, at the Place-d'Armes métro station.
Montréal, May 18, 2017 – The Montréal half of the cultural exchange between Bruxelles Mobilité and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) was fulfilled today, with the unveiling of Soleil de minuit, a work by Franco-Belgian artist Adrien Lucca, at the Place-d'Armes métro station.
A number of officials were on hand, including the Mayor of Montréal, the Honourable Denis Coderre; the Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Mobility and Public Works, Pascal Smet; the Chairman of the STM Board of Directors, Philippe Schnobb; and the CEO of the Société des transports intercommunaux de Bruxelles, Brieuc de Meeûs.
"This gift from Bruxelles Mobilité commemorates the 40 years of the Brussels metro and the 50 years of the Montréal métro, as well as the 375th anniversary of our great city. This cultural exchange is a means to strengthen ties not only between Brussels and Montréal, but also between Belgium and Quebec," announced Mayor Denis Coderre.
"The work of art unveiled today holds deep significance. It represents the sun that links our two cities above all, but also the warmth of the friendship that unites the Brussels-Capital Region and the City of Montréal. Thanks to the combined talents of Adrien Lucca and glass artisans, the vitality of this friendship will be on display for all to admire at one of Montréal's key métro stations. This special bond, which dates back to the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Brussels-Capital Region and the Quebec government in 2002, is one we regularly nurture," stated Mr. Smet.
"Public art plays a crucial role in the Montréal métro. In truth, it is an inextricable part of the experience we offer our customers. The vast majority of our stations have one, two or three works of art. Amazingly, despite being opened in 1966, the Place-d'Armes station had none. That is no longer the case. Adrien Lucca now joins the very select group of artists whose works grace the Montréal métro, which includes luminaries such as Frédéric Back, Marcelle Ferron and Jean-Paul Mousseau," added Mr. Schnobb.
Next stop: Brussels
As part of this cultural exchange, the STM will also be giving a work of art to its counterpart in Brussels. The piece, currently being created by Montréal artist Patrick Bernatchez, will be installed at the end of the summer at the Brussels métro’s Trône station.
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Gordana Micic
Responsable Art & Architecture
Bruxelles Mobilité
+32 2 204 21 18
gmicic@sprb.irisnet.be
Amélie Régis
Affaires publiques
Société de transport de Montréal
514 350-0800, poste 85508
amelie.regis@stm.info
