I captured this image during my recent trip to Montreal.
My first thought was “I have to get this shot!”
My second thought was it appears the people huddled together in the sculpture are shaming or warning this businessman to get off of his phone and use his time more wisely.
It's a good thing I know the shortcut to launch the camera on the iPhone (swipe up from the bottom). Just a few seconds after this picture was taken tourists forced the man to move because they wanted to read the plaque that was just behind him.
Capturing moments like this is another reason I love travel. It really pays to have your eyes open to the world around you.
Art is such a subjective thing. What do you see in the photo?
Yours behind the lens,
Eric
Steepshot
Excellent photo, my friend and I saw in this sculpture a certain motivation of the crowd in choosing the direction of their life, as if they tell us where to move! Thank you, Eric.
Very interesting. Just curious do you know what the monument is about? It does appear some of the crowd is looking towards the heavens as if to be seeing something that has wowed them. One looks almost like worshipping and some in the back are bowed down. Very cool. One not knowing can really use their imagination here.
It's called "The Illuminated Crowd" by a sculptor by the name of Raymond Mason. I'm not sure what he meant it to represent but I'll have to research it now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Mason_(sculptor)
Raymond Mason (sculptor)
Raymond Grieg Mason OBE (2 March 1922, in Birmingham, England – 13 February 2010 in Paris, France) was a sculptor.
He trained at the Birmingham School of Arts and Crafts under William Bloye, the Royal College of Art (for one term), and Slade School of Art. He lived and worked in Paris beginning in 1946. He was a close friend of the late Nobel Prize–winning scientist Maurice Wilkins.
Thanks!
I found a link that explains it.....https://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/montreal/attractions/illuminated-crowd/a/poi-sig/392851/361431
They look like the butter sculptures from the Minnesota State Fair.
i kid you not, i was going to post the same exact comment!
I love the way the iPhone is shaped really you know? The ability to capture even in transit, but wow what a beautiful sculpture work, looks like something made out of marble or brick really.
Capturing so much beautiful place, makes one aware of the beauty surrounding life
A very interesting sculpture, @ericvancewalton. Not only for its size but also for the details. The idea that people are in three steps or levels, calls my attention powerfully, no matter if they are families: men, women and children. If you notice, those who are in the front row are like waving and pointing at something on the horizon. Those in the back are leaning like looking down or helping others get on. This image reminds me of people standing on sidewalks to watch parades or floats go by on holidays. In fact, look, there's even a father with his son mounted on his shoulders to make him see better. Quite a festive sculpture! Hugs
You really captured a moment here with this guy missing the whole thing.
Not sure what the sculptures are about. Looking forward to reading, the artist did a great job. What are they sculpted out of? So smooth like butter.
Thanks @rebeccabe! It does look like butter but I read it’s a polyester resin. I guess it’s one of the most photographed sculptures in Montreal but we had no idea. We just passed it on our walk back to the Airbnb.
Can you imagine how much resin? Art is something we can all share with each other and take away what we want. I will remember these as the butter people by @ericvancewalton
I am going to see if I can find the artist who made them... he or she may other works.
Haha, Butter people, I love it! That would be a lot of polyester. Maybe he repurposed leisure suits from the 70's? : )
good one haha .. I remember those suits and polka dot dresses.
Poor man 😪, maybe he was tired 😁 or maybe he sat down only for bother tourist hehehe.
Yeah sure timing is indeed important to get shots like this and like the way you said all this is indeed worth the travel to get experience and all :)
I missed this when I visited this place! Nice sculpture. Worth traveling to see amazing things like this
thank you very much for letting us know
I wish you a prosperous week@ericvancewalton excellent find, many guesses can be made about the image, from what I just read, it is one of the most photographed sculptures of the place
Realmente es así, varias veces no nos damos cuenta de todo lo que tenemos a nuestro alrededor justamente por el motivo de estar tan encerrados en lo del día a día, Gracias por Compartir
This group of people have seen something bad and the guy is busy passing on the news. But if one saw his stance in days before cell phones, he would have looked quite dejected! Nowadays he's sitting there all by himself yet not alone as he has access to the world right there in his hands!
Will definitely be looking at that link as I wonder what event the artist is depicting or is it just a message he's trying to convey?
Enjoy your travels!Wonderful photo @ericvancewalton!
I don't see it as a very flattering portrayal of humanity.
Which is not to say that we should ignore or hide our shortcomings ...
However, it seems more and more in vogue to highlight said shortcomings.
Rather than inspiring acknowledgement and improvement.
Certainly a thought & conversation provoking / inspiring piece. Perhaps that's exactly what the artist, Raymond Mason, sought to accomplish.
I guy who was crying cause something bad happened to him and he found that spot just besides the sculpture to let that feeling go away.
This is perfect message for this pic
Uses of mobile phone is become a big problem . You gave a good message with your writing and with this capture .
This is such a good piece of art . But this man is fully lost in his phone and not watching the beauty of this place .
Going to different places really teach us something in different way
You have a good eye my friend. Check out some of my work and let me know if you liked it :)