The artist shows his installation entitled „Petite Loire“ at France’s International Garden Festival of the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
Especially in a heavy breeze, beholders must rely on all their experience regarding wind and waves and carefully observe. Artists Mathieu Lehanneur’s marble installation „Petite Loire“, located in France’s palatial Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, so skillfully emulates the water’s surface and waves that nature couldn’t have done a better job.
The French artist is renowned for his work in natural stone and unusual ideas. One piece of his series „Liquid Marbles“, will be on exhibit until November 5th, 2016 at the International Garden Festival some 200 km south of Paris.
The work is located in front of the former stables and is made of pieces of marble. Together they measure 7,5 x 2,5 m. It was realized by Portuguese Mármores Centrais do Minho Company (MCM).
The title „Petite Loire“ alludes to the close proximity of the venue to the River Loire where it is still relatively untouched by civilization. In one manner Lehanneur has moved water from the shady existence on the banks into the limelight of art aficionados.
In a press release Lehanneur explains: „I hope that, when passing the Chateau gates, the visitor will experience something that comes close to a magic portal, to a forbidden place in so many fairytales. Everything is liquid in this space, evanescent, enlightened, and yet it is executed in a material that is the one of the most solid imaginable.”
The International Garden Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Its expectations are high as can be witnessed on the official website: „(We) will be showcasing gardens that address the great questions of our time, such as climate change, rising sea levels, ,floating gardens’ and the link between habitat and gardens“.
In many cases natural stone has been implemented.
MCM – Mármores Centrais do Minho
International Garden Festival Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, till November 5th, 2016
Photos: M. Giesbrecht
(03.07.2016, USA: 07.03.2016)