Discovery
Art in Motion- the REM
Jean Giguère
Author :
WikiResidence
Source :
18/11/25
Montreal's ambitious Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project is transforming the city's public transit landscape, not only through its efficiency but also through its commitment to public art.
Echoing the theme of "Re-Enchanting the City" popularized by columnist Marie-Hélène Poitras, the project features an ambitious collection of artworks that transform stations into places of discovery.
The integration of Manuel Mathieu's mosaics at the Édouard-Montpetit station, celebrating geological heritage, along with installations by Valérie Blass, Diane Morin, Michelle Bui, Éliane Excoffier, and Patrick Bernatchez in five other stations, illustrates how art is weaving its way into commuters' daily lives.
These works humanize the built environment, celebrate the richness of the local art scene, and invite travelers to a poetic pause, reaffirming the role of art in urban
In a constantly reinventing city, the idea of "Re-Enchanting the City" — dear to columnist Marie-Hélène Poitras — takes on its full meaning. It's about rediscovering poetry and soul in everyday life, breaking free from the monotony of concrete, and injecting imagination into functional spaces.
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) contributes to this mission by transforming its stations into art galleries, making every journey a cultural experience.
A Landmark Event: Manuel Mathieu's "Le Mont habité"
One of the most spectacular works is by artist Manuel Mathieu at the Édouard-Montpetit station.
Dug deep into the mountain, this station is now adorned with five large, striking mosaics titled "Le Mont habité" (The Inhabited Mountain).
Far from mere decoration, the work is a dialogue with Montreal's underground history. Mathieu drew inspiration from the very gabbro rock that was excavated for the station.
These mosaics, some measuring up to 3.19 meters (over 10 feet) high, celebrate the strength and geological heritage of Mount Royal, transforming this transit hub into a space for contemplation on the depth and solidity of our territory.
This artistic gesture humanizes the infrastructure and anchors the modern REM experience in the long sweep of nature's time.
Six Stations, Six Unique Visions
The Édouard-Montpetit initiative is just one piece of a larger artistic puzzle.
Five other artists are bringing their singular visions to five other stations:
Artist | Station | Artwork and Concept |
Valérie Blass | Anse-à-l’Orme | Her work, a vertical sculpture twenty feet long, is inspired by the 2023 forest fires. It takes the form of a chain of organic links intertwining, using 3D scanning and printing. This creation resembles a giant jewel with lacquered black and translucent white parts, meditating on landscape transformation and resilience. |
Diane Morin | Gare Centrale | Her mural, titled "In/animation (la forêt qui nous habite)" (In/animation (the forest within us)), is an animated installation composed of 20 illuminated aluminum boxes. It features a miniature cinematic sequence where trees and branches subtly move above the escalators, merging the presence of nature (inspired by a digitized hundred-year-old maple) with the mechanics of urban transit. |
Michelle Bui | Sainte-Dorothée | Her work, which blends photography and installations, explores the harmonious coexistence between nature and urbanity. Her piece at the Sainte-Dorothée station is designed to integrate visual elements that highlight the beauty of everyday life at the intersection of the built and natural environment. |
Éliane Excoffier | Bois-Franc | This photographer and visual artist created an installation that plays with notions of memory and transformation. Her work uses innovative techniques, blending photography and sculpture to capture and represent Montreal's urban and natural landscapes, adding a layer of history to commuters' daily lives. |
Patrick Bernatchez | Deux-Montagnes | A multidisciplinary artist, his installation explores themes of time and perception. His introspective and experimental approach, using various materials, aims to invite REM users to reflect on their immediate environment and their travel experience. |
A Continuous Movement for Art and the City
By selecting these six artists (including Manuel Mathieu) to adorn these major stations, the REM establishes itself as a key player in the metropolitan area's cultural development.
The integration of public art into transportation infrastructure is not just an embellishment; it is a strong statement that:
Humanizes space: It makes functional environments more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing.
Supports local creation: It provides a monumental platform for the diversity and creativity of Quebec artists.
Enriches daily life: It transforms a routine moment – commuting – into an opportunity for contemplation, directly aligning with the idea of re-enchanting the city by injecting poetry and history into it.
Through these artworks, REM users are invited to pause, look up, and connect with the geological history, natural environment, and vibrant artistic scene of Montreal.
We encourage you to discover these magnificent works in person during your next journey or a dedicated artistic stroll.
And if you are aware of other public art installations within the REM network or elsewhere in Montreal that deserve recognition, please share them with us!
We would love to highlight them in future publications.