Near the City of Gold – Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal, Botanical Garden, Montréal, Québec

Abitibi-Témiscamingue is located in northwestern Québec, Canada, along the border with Ontario. The region's landscape features mixed forest to the south across the Témiscamingue area while boreal forest covers the northern section. Its economy is dominated by logging, mining and agriculture. Gold was discovered in the area in 1923; one of the main towns of the region is called Val d’Or – French for "Valley of Gold."

Val d’Or’s entry in the Mosaïcultures Internationales competition is unique. The sculptures depict a family of moose at rest. The moose are covered in moss and boreal lichens which are extremely common in the region. Lichen consist of two very distinct organisms: a fungus, which constitutes most of what is visible, and a microscopic alga or cyanobacterium that lives on its surface in a symbiotic relationship. Each needs the other to survive. Boreal lichen are extremely sensitive to air pollution and therefore can serve as pollution bio-indicators

The scultures were produced by primary school students in the Val-d’Or’s working under the supervision of their art teacher.

For a description of the art of Mosaiculture and of the Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal competition, please turn to the first photo in this series at:

www.ipernity.com/doc/jonathan.cohen/33872015