Mont-Royal Avenue has been transformed into a 2.5 km pedestrian-only zone this summer. Additionally, passersby at Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam will now be able to look up at Partiellement nuageux avec de fortes probabilités de « wow »! (Partly cloudy with a strong chance of “wow”!), an installation suspended 30 feet (nine metres) above the ground. The piece is designed to resemble a giant fluffy cloud that creates shaded zones that slowly move with the motion of the sun.

The concept is a nod to the dichotomy of nature and city living, organic life and technology, meteorological science and old wives’ tales. It also symbolizes water and two of its states – liquid and gas – and is the perfect complement to the multipurpose water square at Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam. In sum, its intent is to celebrate and show how important rain is in the public space.

The artwork provides a unique experience that evolves in real-time. At night, it emits a glow that changes according to 12-hour weather forecasts, while reacting to heat waves, storms, rain, sunshine, etc. The piece is a genuine embodiment of atmospheric poetry, shimmering in an iridescent palette of colours depending on the weather expected. The creators drew inspiration from both meteorology and old wives’ tales that were popular with people who have a deep connection to the land, such as farmers. For instance, the belief that observing the sky at sunset and the colour of the clouds could predict tomorrow’s forecast.

Partiellement nuageux avec de fortes probabilités de « wow »! was created by the EN TEMPS ET LIEU workshop, the winner of a design competition launched in November 2021 by the Société de développement de l’avenue du Mont-Royal, in collaboration with Odace Événements and the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.