Housing in Québec Harbour
Ephemeral Winter Shelter in Cartier-Bréboeuf Park: Reflecting the Memory of First Nations
Located along the Lairet River, Cartier-Bréboeuf Park is a site of historical significance, where early encounters between First Nations and French settlers took place in what is now Quebec City. This project is a reflection on the cultural memory embedded in the landscape, highlighting the deep connection between the land and its Indigenous heritage. The resulting ephemeral winter shelter offers a serene space for retreat and contemplation, shaped by the natural contours of the site, and inviting reflection on the importance of cultural and environmental preservation.
2019
POEMS, CONCEPT
Joséphine Bacon’s poetry explores Indigenous identity, the natural world, and colonialism's lasting impact on the Innu, highlighting the delicate yet profound bond between humans and the land, where beauty and sorrow are intertwined in response to cultural and environmental threats. Feathers in Bacon’s writing serve as powerful symbols of wisdom, ancestral presence, and the spiritual ties to nature, while also reflecting vulnerability and loss. This installation similarly bridges past and present, evoking the early encounters between settlers and First Nations, and underscoring the urgent need to protect both the land and Indigenous cultural heritage.
Site (46.8254, -71.2394)
Site Model, Wood
The winding course of the Lairet River, the steep drops of its banks, and the paths of cyclists and pedestrians following the water’s curves: the shaped landscape allows a new curve to unfold, as if naturally drawn from the spirit of the land. Two intertwining feathers evoke the wisdom of Chief Donnacona, the mediator at the meeting of two nations. Their harmony reflects the diplomatic ties he maintained and honors his great courage. Beneath the wood structure, a red bench—like a stain in the white scenery—symbolizes the fear and fragility of a threatened land.
Model, Wood