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The Ring (Montreal)

The Ring is an in situ installation at Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal, completed in 2022 by Claude Cormier + Associés and Marmen, with collaboration from NCK inc., Claude Bernard (Formaviva Inc.), Gilles Arpin (EP Éclairage Public), Stantec, Cohésio Architecture, JCB Construction Canada, Bendtec and Patrice Blain. Commissioned by Ivanhoé Cambridge for Place Ville Marie’s anniversary, it is a giant stainless steel ring made of 80-centimeter-diameter pipes. The work measures 29 meters in diameter, weighs 23 tons, and cost 5 million dollars. Suspended above the esplanade entrance facing Cathcart Street, it was inaugurated with a concert featuring Ariane Moffatt and Sarahmée.

The Ring sculpture curves above a public staircase between tall city buildings.
The Ring at Place Ville Marie rises above the surrounding downtown buildings and staircase.
August 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Ring sculpture framing a city street and plaza under a bright blue sky.
The Ring at Place Ville Marie frames the surrounding downtown streets and plaza.
August 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Ring, a large circular sculpture suspended above an urban plaza between two buildings.
The Ring suspended above Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal.
August 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Ring glows green against illuminated skyscrapers at night, with stairs and a few blurred figures below.
The Ring is shown glowing green beside the brightly lit towers of Place Ville Marie at night.
December 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Ring glows green above a nighttime cityscape with a wet, snowy street below.
The Ring illuminated in green over a snowy nighttime city scene.
December 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleL'Anneau
Typein situ installation
Typesculpture
English titleThe Ring

Location and ownership

LocationPlace Ville Marie, downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Installation positionSuspended above the entrance to the Place Ville Marie esplanade, facing Cathcart Street

Historical context

Commissioning initiativeInitiative of Ivanhoé Cambridge
ContextCreated for the anniversary of Place Ville Marie; anniversary year not specified
ErectedJune 2022
Year completed2022

Creator

FabricatorMarmen
CollaboratorsNCK inc.; Claude Bernard (Formaviva Inc.); Gilles Arpin (EP Éclairage Public); Stantec; Cohésio Architecture; JCB Construction Canada; Bendtec; Patrice Blain
DesignerClaude Cormier + Associés

Physical characteristics

DescriptionA giant stainless steel ring made of pipes
Pipe diameter80 centimeters
Diameter29 meters (94 feet)
Weight23 tonnes; another source says around an unspecified amount

Other

Cost5 million dollars; another source says over an unspecified amount of taxpayer and private money

Technique

HeatingHeated to prevent snow buildup
Structural protectionHas vibration dampers to prevent damage during high winds and earthquakes

History and restoration

InaugurationInaugurated on an unspecified date, with a concert featuring Ariane Moffatt and Sarahmée

Significance

Notable significanceThe last major project by Claude Cormier before his death on an unspecified date