Ha! Ha! Pyramid
Pyramide des Ha! Ha! | |
 The pyramid in September 2018 | |
 | |
| Location | La Baie, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°18′56″N 70°51′30″W / 48.31543°N 70.85828°W |
| Designer | Jean-Jules Soucy |
| Type | Pyramid |
| Height | 21 metres (69 ft) |
| Beginning date | 1997 |
| Completion date | 1998 |
The Ha! Ha! Pyramid (Template:Lang-fr) is a contemporary art monument commemorating the Saguenay flood of 1996. Located in the district of La Baie in Saguenay, Quebec, the pyramid was named after the nearby Ha! Ha! River.[1][2] Conceived as a form of therapy to help residents recover from the traumatic events of the flood, it is covered in 3,000 yield signs, based on the similarity of pronunciation of the French words for "to yield" (céder Template:IPA-fr) and "to help each other" (s'aider Template:IPA-fr).
==History==cing was achieved through a public-private partnership, including a fund-raising campaign that netted $300,000. Finally, in 2005, a public square was completed next to the project at a cost of $35,000.[3]
Description
The pyramid is a 21-metre (69 ft) high aluminum structure covered in 3,000 yield signs with standard reflective coating.[1][4] The design of the signs were noted by Soucy to be similar to the Greek delta (Δ).[5] The signs are meant to encourage people to help one another, as the French word for "yield", céder, is pronounced the same as s'aider, meaning "to help each other".[6]
A central staircase provides access to an observation deck which allows views of the Haha portion of the surrounding Saguenay River valley.[1] On the pyramid's interior walls there are a number of plaques dedicated to local families engraved with the names of those who were directly affected by the flood.[citation needed]
Recognition
In 2007 the pyramid was one of three finalists for the "new development prize" from Les Arts et la Ville, a nonprofit organisation that supports the artistic and cultural life of smaller municipalities.[7]
References
- ^ a b c "Pyramide des Ha! Ha!". atlasobscura.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ "Rivière Ha! Ha!". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
pdfwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Pyramide des Ha! Ha!". quebecoriginal.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ "PYRAMIDE DES HA! HA!" (PDF). City of Saguenay. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ "Pyramide des Ha! Ha!". museedufjord.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ "BULLETIN SPÉCIAL Prix Les Arts et la Ville 2007" (PDF). kollectif.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.