Mar 22nd, 2008
Jean Dallaire at the Queen-Elizabeth and Serge Lemoyne at the Montreal Casino
Le Devoir food columnist Philippe Mollé wrote an article last week on the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the keys moments of the hotel were related, including the presence of a tapestry by famed Quebec artist Jean Dallaire. [ Read the column here (in French) ]
In a letter to the editor this morning, Serge G. Morin corrects some of the assertions found in Mollé’s column. Incidently, he notices that the work isn’t in fact a tapestry but rather a knotted rug. Also, it went missing when the hotel underwent renovations after Expo 67. [ Read the letter here (in French) ]
I spent two nights at the Queen E this week. After reading the Mollé column, I asked the desk to see the work of Dallaire. First, the help desk didn’t understand what I was looking for. Then, when they finally understood, they looked at me as if I’d just said that Lennon was still singing in room 1742. I finally decided to let the matter go when I was bounced off to three different staffers who didn’t have the answer.
While in Montreal, I took some time to visit the Casino where I wanted to see some works that are in the building. In particular, I was looking for a mural by Serge Lemoyne. At first, the staff of the Casino couldn’t help me. It seems I was the first one asking to see the Lemoyne mural in the 7 years the woman had been working there. Finally, with some help and a couple of telephone calls, she directed me to the buffet on the 5th floor.
On my way up, I stopped on the first floor. In the entrance hall, there are two paintings greeting visitors. I wish I could’ve written down the name of the artists but the security guard was very suspicious of me. He granted me with a “Can I help you?” that meant business. It seems not a lot of people come in this space to look at the works of art.
In the elevator that took me to the 5th floor, another employee asked if he could help me. When I told him the purpose of my visit, his look was one of disbelief. I could feel his eyes following me as I made my way to the closed buffet. But there I saw the Lemoyne mural, a very nice piece if I might say so. It livens up the environment in a bright yet subtle way. Unfortunately, a piece of equipment was put in the middle of the mural when some renovations were done after 1992.
So I ask myself: What is the purpose of public art if it isn’t put forward to the public? Isn’t that a mistake when trying to distinguish one’s business from the competitors? Even though those two buildings are not museums, isn’t it the purpose of including art on their premises to better the client’s experience? Possessing an unique work, isn’t that the best way to proclaim one’s uniqueness? Isn’t that what the Vegas casinos do in a kitschy way?
It is possible to see an old picture of the Serge Lemoyne mural on this personal Web site.
