Client: City of Montreal

Overview

Corten steel, galvanized steel
9 x 12.6 x 8.2 m, 9.9 x 8.5 x 6 m
International Civil Aviation Organization Plaza (ICAO), City of Montreal

Dendrites are branched projections of a neuron, which propagate cerebral stimulation; the term is derived from the Greek dendron, also the word for tree. Two sculptures reproduce this microscopic phenomenon on a monumental scale, simultaneously evocative of large tree trunks. Climbing the steps of the sculpture allows passers-by to inhabit the landscape and reconnect with the surroundings – by climbing it’s branches they animate the sculpture much like the foliage of a tree.

Goals

Commissioned by the City of Montreal for the large-scale redevelopment of the Interna­tional Civil Aviation Organization Plaza (ICAO), Dendrites was designed to be an iconic, place-making work encouraging pedestrians and visitors to inhabit the revitalized Plaza in the heart of downtown Montreal.