This artwork is inspired by the spirit of the park as a place to gather, relax, and play. It draws the gaze and invites passersby to take a break, to stop for a moment. With its five-metre height, Temps d’arrêt becomes the counterpoint to the bandstand situated in the east part of Parc Molson. Erected as a monolith, the artwork responds to the park’s symmetry. Its verticality reiterates the majestic, imperturbable vision of the many mature trees that inhabit the area. On the one hand, the choice of industrial materials (Corten steel and aluminum) and the tubular style of the sculptural composition offer a radical break with the surrounding natural environment. On the other hand, the organic aluminum shapes and the verticality of the base, which refer, respectively, to the branches and trunk of a tree, contribute to the integration of the work with the site. Furthermore, the orange colour of the Corten steel, which stands out from both summer vegetation and snow in winter, creates an essential reference point.

The artwork was commissioned on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Rosemont, in 2005. It was part of a series of joint projects undertaken by Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie Borough to highlight the cultural and commercial sector of Rue Beaubien.