Page 50 - Designing Ways 264

LIGHTING

Skating, a tradition embedded in
Montreal's DNA
Jacques Primeau, Chief Executive
Officer of Montréal en Lumière, initiated
the far-reaching project that is now in
its 24th year. Along the way, the Festival
has developed unparalleled expertise in
Nordic-context events and illuminated
animation. Highlighting skating as a
central activity of the festival seemed a
natural extension, given the intimate and
historic link between skating and the City
of Montreal.
Public rinks have long been important
socio-cultural gathering places that, much
like hockey, unite communities. A true
hallmark of our “Montréalness,” hockey
has been played in small and large arenas
across the city forever. Montréal d'hier et
d'hiver, a work by artist Karine Lanoie-
Brien, illustrates this rich history in the
form of large-scale projections around the
Skating Loop, using archival images from
the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
to document the long love affair between
Montreal and skating.
“In 2022, we knew that the City was
going to open a large new skating rink
on Esplanade Tranquille. The idea of the
Skating Loop was to create a strong and
dramatic symbol that would celebrate
skating as emblematic of Montreal. We are
extremely proud to offer Montrealers and
their families this unique creation that brings
residents together, and we look forward An aerial 1000-feet-long skating trail with immersive sound and light ambience
to welcoming visitors to this exceptional Photo credit: Victor Diaz Lamich for MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
outdoor rink. From concept to realisation,

An elevated structure 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) above ground level
Photo credit: MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE

50 Issue 264 • dw