PLACE DES SOUHAITS 《願望之城》: MONTREAL, QUEBEC 蒙特利爾

English: Melissa haggerty chinese: KEIRA O

Photographer: Tim Chin

AS FEATURED IN EDITION NO. 7 OF FETE CHINOISE MAGAZINE: PERSPECTIVE 覺•渡

M ontreal artist Karen Tam worked with designer Jean de Lessard to create the vibrant “Place des Souhaits/Place of Wishes” in the Quartier des Spectacles. This joyous, intergenerational public space and artwork, reminiscent of a typical Asian Night Market, welcomed visitors of all colours and creeds, while supporting local residents, families and businesses during its four-month run. It shone as a beacon of positivity and hope, highlighting the resilience of Chinatowns everywhere.

蒙特利爾著名綜合藝術家 Karen，與設計師 Jean de Lessard 合作，在Quartier des Spectacles 文化區，打造了充滿活力的《願望之城》。這個充滿文化元素的共享空間和藝術展覽讓人聯想到典型的亞洲夜市。展覽期的四個月間，吸引大量當地居民、遊客參觀「打咭」，亦支持了當地企業。這獨特的展覽為各地唐人街帶來了無比的正能量及希望。

The Wishing Tree / L'Arbre à souhait

This installation was inspired by wishing trees found in Buddhist temples across Asia where visitors write their wishes on red pieces of paper or ribbon and either tie them directly on to branches or attach them to oranges to be tossed into the boughs. The belief is that if the orange successfully lodges in the tree, the wish will come true. 

Karen Tam elaborates: “In our present time of the pandemic, its adverse effects on Chinatowns, as well as the rise in anti-Asian racism, the Montreal Chinatown Wishing Tree pays homage to its community with handwritten messages and wishes of longevity 壽, health 康, fortune 福, prosperity 祿, happiness 喜, strength 強 and resilience 堅韌 to our elders, families, organizations, and businesses. As Chinatown is a living organism, the wishes are also for its continued survival and growth.”

《唐人街許願樹 》

靈感來自亞洲各地寺廟的許願樹。祈福者會在紅紙或紅絲帶寫上願望，然後將願望字條直接掛在樹枝上，或繫上重物（如石頭、橙）後誠心許願，並拋到樹上。如果願望字條不跌下來，便代表願望可成真。「新冠肺炎疫情加劇了反亞裔種族主義抬頭，為唐人街帶來了許多負面影響。蒙特利爾唐人街的許願樹，用以向我們的長輩、家人、朋友、親友們祈願！手寫的祝福語極具意義，帶有長壽、健康、福澤、祿、喜樂、安康等願望。唐人街是有生命的，也祝願它長壽安康和快樂成長。」

In the heart of downtown and just steps away from the north païfang (traditional arch), this installation was laid out in three concentric rings designed to welcome and envelop visitors. Circles feature predominantly in Chinese culture as they represent harmony, collaboration and cooperation. 

On the outside stood a ‘forest’ of a thousand brightly coloured flags, simultaneously revealing and hiding the heart of this unifying space. The colours were inspired by the costumes and stage settings of Cantonese opera and, by planting the flags firmly in the ground, they celebrated the tangible and intangible elements of Chinatown's culture.

Once inside, the Night Market formed the outer ring. In this section, dozens of food stalls and local businesses offered up delicious food and refreshments. This was followed by the middle ring where families and friends could sit to share a meal or watch a performance.  

Anchoring it all was The Wishing Tree, right in the middle of the space. Interestingly, this tree wasn’t planted there; it grew from a seed that blew in on the wind and now stands over  80-feet tall. What a beautiful metaphor for the resilience of this century-old neighbourhood and deeply-rooted community. 

At its base was a round stage where cultural performances took place all summer long. From operatic concerts to orchestral recitals, the audience was treated to colourful, captivating entertainment daily.  The tree also provided shade for elders or anyone just wanting to sit and enjoy the beautiful oasis.  

這個代表跨代的藝術展覽以三環組成，位於蒙特利爾市中心，距離北拱門僅幾步之遙。參觀遊客會先繞過五顏六色旗幟拼合的三環路；每一環路有著不同中國文化的傳統含意，代表和諧、共和。遊客通過時，更會感受到這個社區裏充滿傳統的活力、聲音、味道和美態。

千多面繽紛旗幟組成的森林，中間隱藏了一個共賞空間。旗幟顏色靈感來自粵劇的服裝和舞台設置。將旗幟牢固地插在地上，喻意唐人街的文化永垂不朽、世代相傳。

夜市展覽攤位形成了最外圍的一環。數十家小吃攤檔和本地商店展攤，提供了美味的食物和茶點。緊接著的中環路，是休憩區，遊客可以坐下來享用美食或觀看表演。

《願望之城》的核心是許願樹，在藝術展覽的中心地帶。有趣的是，這棵80多尺高的樹是上天的禮物，是從一粒隨風吹來的種子成長出來的。這棵樹象徵百年的唐人街強韌不倒、活力依然。

許願樹下是一個圓形舞台，整個夏天都會有不同的文化表演。從表演到管弦樂演奏，觀眾每天都能享受精彩豐富的娛樂節目。這棵老樹還為長者、小朋友等遊客，提供了歇息乘涼的好地方。

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