Montreal's Parc Jean-Drapeau just got a jaw-dropping new attraction, and it's sticking around for good.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Mosaïcultures internationales de Montréal, the park has unveiled three giant horticultural sculptures (along with other complementary pieces) now permanently installed at the Jardins des Floralies on Île Notre-Dame. Together, the living artworks are made of nearly half a million flowers and plants, and they're free to visit as of Saturday, June 21.
Here are some of the highlights of the horticultural exhibit:
Mother Earth
This massive scultpure features a functional waterfall. Parc Jean-Drapeau
The most buzzed-about sculpture is Mother Earth, a towering 11-metre figure of a woman with cascading greenery and a waterfall flowing from her arm.
Though she's gone viral this week, she's no stranger to the spotlight, as the piece originally wowed crowds at the 2013 Mosaïcultures exhibition, winning several international awards that year. Now she has a permanent home in Montreal's most scenic park.
The Man Who Planted Trees
Made up of 100,000 plants, the piece depicts Elzéard Bouffier, a shepherd from Provence.Parc Jean-Drapeau
Just steps away, you'll find The Man Who Planted Trees, inspired by the Oscar-winning animated short film and created with over 100,000 plants. It shows a shepherd planting a single tree on arid land, symbolizing how one person can change the environment through patience and care.
The Six Pairs of YY
The park calls it "a cross between nature, living art and memory of the Expo site."Parc Jean-Drapeau
The third installation, The Six Pairs of YY, takes inspiration from Parc Jean-Drapeau's logo and pays tribute to Expo 67. Spread across the islands, these abstract human silhouettes serve a dual purpose — they’re both visually striking and act as helpful landmarks for anyone exploring the park.
Each Mosaïcultures sculpture is now part of Parc Jean-Drapeau's permanent landscape. You can explore the entire area daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with no admission fee.
Mosaïcultures
Price: Free
When: Open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: Jardins des Floralies, Île Notre-Dame, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Some of Montreal’s coolest new public art just popped up in plain sight, and it's hiding in a park you've probably walked through dozens of times.
More Info: parcjeandrapeau.com
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