A whale of a public art exhibit; artist pays tribute to last year's giant St. Lawrence mammal
For a brief period, a wayward whale in the St. Lawrence River captured the hearts of Montrealers. While the aquatic mammal's journey ended tragically, a piece of art by sculptor Geraldine Laurendeau pays tribute to the beloved creature.
The work isn't just an ode, however; it's a reminder of humanity's responsibilities to the environment.
“I'm on a project with the umbrella species, which is an ecological term for a species where, if we protect its habitat, we will protect a bunch of other species living in the same ecosystem,” said Laurendeau. “I took the opportunity of that humpback whale that came in the St. Lawrence last summer.”
Previously located in Lasalle, the piece of public art has now moved upstream to the Lachine waterfront.
The whale isn't the only animal she's featured in her work. Caribou, which are classified as threatened, have also attracted Laurendeau's attention. A sculpture of a woodland caribou is also on display.
“Mountain caribou and forest caribou are declining very fast. The Val d'Or caribou, they wanted to put in a zoo. Charlevoix caribou are being reintroduced but are still declining. Gaspesie has an isolated population that's still very fragile,” she said.
The artwork is displayed in a public, heavily trafficked space because Laurendeau said she wants people to be able to touch them.
“It's a way to sensitize them. Then, people feel empathy and have an interest and they go search a little more,” she said.
The sculptures will be on display at the Lachine waterfront at 32nd Ave. until September.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.