Public Artwork
Monument to Alphonse Desjardins
Location:
Parc Catchpaw, Chemin de la Montagne and chemin Courtemanche, Orford, QC, Canada
See map: Google Maps
Artwork creator(s):
Trudeau, Yves
Text author(s):
Trudeau, Yves; Desjardins, Alphonse
Installation year:
1975
Remarks on location:
Before being relocated, it was installed at Complexe Desjardins (150 St. Catherine Street West). The statue was also moved to the banks of the City of Longueuil.
Description:
Memorial to Alphonse Desjardins (1854-1920), founder of the first credit union in North America. The abstract work is composed of different surfaces, some open, others closed, showing a silhouette of Alphonse Desjardins's face. Excerpts from some of his speeches are displayed in relief on the monument. According to the artist, "the upward spiral movement of the piece evokes dynamism, evolution and the far-reaching scope of the work of Commandeur Desjardins."
Text of the artwork:
Unir, Servir, Unité
Speeches by Desjardins:
La société de demain appartiendra tout entière à ceux qui savent s'unir.
Written on the façade of the work:
EN HOMMAGE / AU COMMANDEUR / ALPHONSE DESJARDINS / L'UNION RÉGIONALE DE MONTRÉAL / CAISSES / POPULAIRES / DESJARDINS /1975
Artwork theme:
Commemoration
History:
The monument was commissioned in 1974 by the Union régionale de Montréal des Caisses populaires Desjardins to celebrate their 75th anniversary. The delays in construction schedules at Complexe Desjardins prevented the celebration of this event. According to Lise Lamarche, the artist was forced to insert a medallion of Alphonse Desjardins and excerpts from his speeches. The sculpture was unveiled on November 22, 1975. The work was relocated in 1995 because of renovation work at Complexe Desjardins. On June 23, 2005, the sculture was inaugurated at Catchpaw Park.
Dimensions:
Height:
9.15m
Width:
4.88m
Depth:
10.67 m Note(s):
In 2004, the words referring to the Federation des Caisses Desjardins de Montréal were removed.
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