The largest mosaic culture exhibition in the world officially opened its doors on Friday in the Bois-de-Coulonge park in Quebec City. The day before, dignitaries, including Mayor Bruno Marchand, inaugurated the site, which aims to accommodate 750,000 people until October.

Under the theme Once upon a time... the Earth, 200 works of art recalling the importance of wildlife in our lives are presented on five paintings.

Elephants, giraffes, bears, lions, tigers, all life-size, make the eyes of young and old widen. This is the first exhibition of its kind in Quebec.

“It is the biggest in our existence. We are very proud of the exhibition, which is state of the art. And without seeming boastful, we are the best in the world, ”says Johanne McKay, deputy director of Mosaïcultures internationales de Montréal, a non-profit organization (NPO) that has existed for 22 years.

From design to completion

The pieces are designed by the founder of the NPO and artist Lise Cormier.

Subsequently, more than 100 people work in the greenhouse from structures to arrive at the final result of pieces made of living plants.

For the assembly of the site, the team has been improved and for the operations there are 500 volunteers who give their time.

For most exhibitions, like the one currently in full swing in Tennessee, production takes two and a half years.

In the case that concerns us, the work was done in a year and a half. “It was a race against time. Everything arrives in a box, except for the largest works,” explains Ms. McKay.

“An extraordinary place”

The initiators of the project are also delighted with the choice of the Bois-de-Coulonge park.

“It is an extraordinary historic site, of great beauty, The trees are majestic, overlooking the river. Couldn't ask for better. »

The exhibition is held 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. to dusk, from June 24 to October 10.