Giant sculpture, named "Child Light", overseeing Rouyn-Noranda city

In the heart of Rouyn-Noranda, a city near the Horne foundry, a new landmark has emerged. The Enfant lumière statue, a six-meter tall and wide sculpture, hovers above Lake Osisko, casting a luminous presence over the water.

Created by multidisciplinary artist Karine Berthiaume, the Enfant lumière statue is more than just a work of art. Berthiaume, who is also a sculptor, painter, scenographer, artistic director, and co-founder of the Emerging Music Festival in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, intends for the statue to change the discourse around art and its interaction with the changing seasons, landscape, and elements.

The statue's arms resemble tree branches, and its foot seems to touch the surface of the lake, fostering a dialogue between the work and the water, symbolizing life. The statue is painted white to remain luminous at night, providing a soothing and reassuring presence for those who gaze upon it.

Berthiaume, who is not politically militant but shows a form of militancy in her work, wants visitors to engage with the statue and have their own interpretations. She believes that the statue's ecological message provokes reflections in Rouyn-Noranda, encouraging people to be aware of the damage caused by the mining industry and to take appropriate action.

The installation of the Enfant lumière statue took three and a half years of work and was funded by patrons Ginette Marcotte and Luc Paquet. Small signs warn passersby that swimming in Lake Osisko is prohibited, but the woman walking her dog on the shore expresses her appreciation for the statue.

According to the Temiscamingue Watershed Organization, the water of the south basin of Lake Osisko has variable but generally low concentrations of trace elements. However, the sediments at the bottom cause concern due to high concentrations of metallic trace elements. Despite this, the Enfant lumière statue projects a new image of the city of Rouyn-Noranda, marking a significant public intervention.

Unfortunately, we mourn the loss of Isabelle Vaillancourt, the general director of Publications BLD, who recently passed away. Her contributions to the arts and culture sector will be greatly missed.

The Enfant lumière statue is more than just a work of art; it is a symbol of hope, a call to action, and a beacon of light in a city that has seen its fair share of darkness. It serves as a reminder that art has the power to provoke thought, inspire change, and bring people together.