« Like the fictive wall in front of the stage serving as a separation between the actors and the audience, the installation aims to arouse the public's curiosity through the implementation of a monumental mesh playing on the perception of space. » 

An immersive and monumental installation takes over Place Claude-Léveillée, in Laval’s Montmorency district. The Fourth Wall, the third landmark of the Métamorphoses créatives initiative, offers a unique experience that blurs the lines between art, architecture, and public space. Designed to spark curiosity, this dynamic structure invites passersby to become active participants in a collective, year-round experience.

Drawing inspiration from both theatre and the street performance, this installation reimagines the iconic “fourth wall” that traditionally separates performers from the audience. Here, that wall becomes an open, curved and dynamic structure designed to stimulate curiosity, encourage interaction, and transform the public square into a living stage.

Modularity

Designed as a modular structure with interchangeable components, the system consists of steel masts and curved rails from which translucent orange vinyl strips are suspended. Commonly used in commercial and industrial settings for their cold-shielding properties, these strips also serve as effective barriers against noise and dust, particularly relevant in area near upcoming construction sites.

Urban activation

Conceived as a space for gathering, observation, and spontaneous expression, the installation serves as a true artistic and community meeting point, rooted in the heart of a transforming neighborhood. Its modular system offers a sustainable solution, adaptable to the site’s evolving needs or reusable for future installations.

Within this immersive structure, raw-wood urban furniture completes the layout: wooden beams painted bright orange at their base are transformed into warm, convivial seats. The orange color, part of Métamorphoses créatives visual identity, reinforces the association between culture, nature and urban transformation.

Experience 

This striking curtain filters the space, reflects the movements of passersby, host public performances, and transform the site through shifting perspectives and evolving uses. This dynamic structure sparks curiosity, nurtures creativity, and invites the public to become active participants in a shared, year-round experience. 

The Fourth Wall is a temporary yet symbolic artwork: it accompanies the renewal of downtown Laval, while offering for the next 4 to 6 years a vibrant public space where everyone can become either spectator or performer in a collective scene open to imagination.

Team :
Architect: NÓS Architects

Manufacturer: Atelier Gris

Collaborators: Ariane Leblanc

Photographer: Raphaël Thibodeau