Ha! Ha! Pyramid
Pyramide des Ha! Ha!
The pyramid in September 2018
48°18′56″N 70°51′30″W / 48.31543°N 70.85828°W / 48.31543; -70.85828
LocationLa Baie, Quebec, Canada
DesignerJean-Jules Soucy
TypePyramid
Height21 metres (69 ft)
Beginning date1997
Completion date1998

The Ha! Ha! Pyramid (French: Pyramide des Ha! Ha!) 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 [se.de]) and "to help each other" (s'aider [sɛ.de]).

History

The pyramid in 2008

The neighbourhood of Grande-Baie suffered heavy damage from the flood of 1996. Ten people died and between 12,000 to 16,000 residents were displaced. Some 500 to 800 buildings were destroyed, more than 1,200 damaged, and damage estimates ranged from CA$300–700 million.[3][4][5]

The project was therefore seen as a form of therapy to help residents recover from the traumatic events of the flood,[6] and to revitalise the area by adding a new tourist and artistic attraction. A group of local citizens formed The Restoration Committee of Ha! Ha!, put forward the idea for a new art installation, and requested help from local artist Jean-Jules Soucy.[7] Soucy submitted a contemporary design that would express both "originality and a sense of humor".[6]

The project called for the full restoration of the Ha! Ha! River, on whose banks the project is situated, and the construction of a new public park in the area where a bridge once stood, which would contain the 21 metres (69 ft) high pyramid and an area for public performances.[6]

The project was estimated to cost $2 million, and was completed in several stages. The Ha! Ha! park was completed in 1998 for a total of $1.3 million, and was officially inaugurated during the 2000 Festival of Lac-Saint-Jean. Financing 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.[6]

Description

The pyramid is a 21-metre (69 ft) high aluminum structure covered in 3,000 yield signs with standard reflective coating.[1][8] The design of the signs were noted by Soucy to be similar to the Greek delta (Δ).[9] 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".[10]

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.

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.[11]

The Canadian yield sign

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pyramide des Ha! Ha!". atlasobscura.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Rivière Ha! Ha!". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  3. ↑ "Devastating flood in Quebec's Saguenay region remembered on 20th anniversary". cbc.ca. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Saguenay Floods Kill 10". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "SOS! Canadian Disasters Saguenay Flood July 1966". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Présentation de la ville de Saguenay au concours Les Arts et la Ville" (PDF) (Press release). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "Pyramide des Ha ! Ha !". grandquebec.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Pyramide des Ha! Ha!". quebecoriginal.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "PYRAMIDE DES HA! HA!" (PDF). City of Saguenay. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "Pyramide des Ha! Ha!". museedufjord.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  11. ↑ "BULLETIN SPÉCIAL Prix Les Arts et la Ville 2007" (PDF). kollectif.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
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