PLACE FORPHILIPPE RAMETTE

L'Éloge du pas de côté, the emblematic Nantes monument created by Philippe Ramette, features a man standing on his pedestal with one foot in the air, in homage to the city's audacity. With l'Éloge du déplacement, the artist imagines the statue lowered from its pedestal in search of a better location. After touring the streets of Nantes in 2023, the sculpture on the run will cross the Atlantic this summer to Quebec City, where it will continue its quest for the ideal location for a monument.

TRAVEL DIARY

PLACE DE PARIS - May 28 to June 13

Freshly arrived in Quebec City, the statue from Nantes began its pursuit of the best location by stopping off at Place de Paris, whose name evoked a certain familiarity. With its street furniture conducive to al fresco dining and its view of the river, this public space in the historic district seems to her to be quite convivial. With the wind of the St. Lawrence in his sails, the character moves towards Place Royale, the cradle of French America and EXMURO's home.

MONTMORENCY PARK - June 14 to July 1

After beginning its tour at Place de Paris, Philippe Ramette's statue laboriously pushed its massive pedestal atop Côte de la Montagne all the way to Parc Montmorency National Historic Site. Well in view of the strollers on the benches, the figure seems intent on joining the commemorative monuments that inhabit the park. Will his bronze cousins be able to direct him to the best vantage point?

PORTE SAINT-JEAN - July 2 to 18

The character on the move continues his peregrinations towards the Porte Saint-Jean, a gateway allowing him to leave the fortified area of Old Quebec for new horizons. In the midst of the Festival d'été de Québec, he follows the crowd to Place d'Youville and its outdoor stage, surrounded by the Palais Montcalm, Diamant and Capitole concert halls. Will his urban wanderings allow him to soak up the spectacular effervescence and experience a real change of scenery?

FRONTENAC CASTLE - July 19 to August 4

In the spirit of travel, why not stand in front of the world's most photographed hotel? The (fake) bronze figure approaches the Château Frontenac, Quebec City's architectural landmark. However, as it reaches the Dufferin Terrace, it bows to the grandiosity of the 16-metre-high monument to Samuel de Champlain. There's no need to compete with the great explorer and founder of the city: Philippe Ramette's work abdicates and contemplates its next destination.

MUSÉE NATIONAL DES BEAUX-ARTS DU QUÉBEC - August 5 to September 15

After criss-crossing the Plains of Abraham, Philippe Ramette's traveling work stops on the forecourt of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. Indecisive, it ponders its options: to enter and join the museum's collections; or to stand as a permanent monument in front of the Pierre Lassonde pavilion? Should it be linked to the institution to be considered a work of art in its own right? It remains to be seen where her reflections will take her..

ASSEMBLÉE NATIONALE - September 16 to October 28

Philippe Ramette's work naturally stops off at the Quebec National Assembly to join its bronze cousins. The facade of the Parliament Building and its gardens are populated by commemorative and allegorical statues that bear witness to the glory of the men and women who have marked the history of Quebec and French America. Ramette's work, for its part, advocates the audacity of the "pas de côté", the gesture of stepping back to expand our horizons and renew our outlook on the world.