‘Saint-Jean-Port-Joli’ is a site-specific sculpture in the landscape of Canada, made of compressed snow. A movable mould was made to create the work, by adding snow in 9 phases. After the construction process was completed, 9 modularly casted snow fragments constituted its final shape, which’s geometry is based on a hexagonal prism. As the work reached a certain height, ladders were used to have access to the work while continuing building it. Walking on top of the snow structure simultaneously allowed us to experience the strength of the compressed snow as an experimental material. Although initally fragile and essentially ephemeral in nature, the snow did transform into a solid temporary architectural substance. The work ‘Saint-Jean-Port-Joli’ deforms through windy weather and additional snow storms and rainfalls. Finally it will gradually disappear through changing temperatures. The process of working in the snow and subsequent natural changes are documented in the video of ‘Saint-Jean-Port-Joli’.
