QUEBEC

Clean, elegant, modern lines characterize the architecture of the Quebec pavilion. You will find it between the Ontario and France pavilions. Its exterior walls are made of glass; by day, these are enormous rectangular mirrors and, by night, a beautiful illuminated display case. Surrounded by water, the structure is accessible by way of a footbridge. Visitors then enter by a large elevator; inside the pavilion, they encounter darkness for several moments before a presentation begins. An audio recording of sounds collected from all over Quebec by musician Gilles Tremblay creates an interesting atmosphere. The pavilion's modern architecture and themes are in sharp contrast to the traditional image we often have of this province. The exhibits focussing on urbanization, industrialization, business and education present Quebec as a province with its eye on the future. Natural resources, forestry and water in particular are also presented as growth industries. In this reflection of Quebec society, the display methods themselves are an attraction: thousands of coloured cubes are sometimes used in a very imaginative way as part of the exhibits. There is a space for fine arts. This building and the old France pavilion are now part of the Casino of Montreal.