Armand J. R. Vaillancourt is a Canadian sculptor, painter and performance artist from Quebec. He is known for his public art fountain entitled Vaillancourt Fountain located in San Francisco. He lives in Montreal.
Vaillancourt in 2012
Armand Vaillancourt, C2 Montreal, May 23, 2012
Armand Vaillancourt's Cenotaph in Chicoutimi, Quebec
Armand Vaillancourt's fountain sculpture Québec libre ! (1971) Embarcadero Plaza (formerly Justin Herman Plaza), in San Francisco, California
Vaillancourt Fountain, sometimes called Quebec libre!, is a large fountain in Embarcadero Plaza in San Francisco, designed by the Québécois artist Armand Vaillancourt in 1971. It is about 40 feet (12 m) high and is constructed out of precast concrete square tubes. Long considered controversial because of its stark, modernist appearance, there have been several unsuccessful proposals to demolish the fountain over the years. It was the site of a free concert by U2 in 1987, when lead singer Bono spray painted graffiti on the fountain and was both praised and criticized for the action.
Vaillancourt Fountain
Vaillancourt Fountain, Justin Herman Plaza
Vaillancourt Fountain and the Embarcadero Freeway in 1988
Vaillancourt Fountain, Justin Herman Plaza SF