The first part of Goulet’s Leçons singulières is a bronze, brass, and stainless steel sculptural ensemble composed of eight unique chair-objects and a fountain-table portraying a map of the world. The poem-chairs are also adorned with everyday objects representing the world around us, such as a wheel, a spiral, a funnel, and a puzzle.

The poetic mixture of common objects transforms the viewer’s vision and apprehension of the square. By juxtaposing public and private space, the poetic and the utilitarian, this amazing furniture is liberated from its primary use to energize the connection between residents and the space that they share with the community. In the artist’s view, Les leçons singulières “constitutes a grouping of poetic references to urban life and takes a close look at community relations. It invites us down a real and imaginary path and forces us to make the detours and turn-backs necessary for an adventure of discovery.” A transit point or a place to relax, the square offers a moment of engagement thanks to the artwork’s influence.

In 1988, the city announced that the parking lot situated at the corner of Rue Roy and Rue Saint-André was to be transformed into a square. The following year, a public competition – the first following the Ville’s adoption of an action plan respecting public art, in 1989 – was held, resulting in the selection of Goulet’s proposal. A second section of the artwork was installed at the end of Rue Roy, in the Léo-Ayotte belvedere in Parc La Fontaine.