« on s’est déplacé de partout pour le voir »
A year ago, the installation of the Glass Tree caused a lot of ink and bile to flow. The work disturbed the proponents of a Christmas tradition set in stone, before gradually blending into the decor of the end-of-year celebrations and gradually being relegated beyond the reach of the creators of digital controversy. Arnaud Lapierre concedes it. His work obviously cannot please everyone. However, despite the storm of criticism announced, the creator was rather overwhelmed with positive opinions.
Removable and reusable
“Some made me understand that they had changed their minds when they saw the work in the context for which it was designed… They liked it and, above all, they understood the process,” confides the artist. “The Glass Tree was not there to distort tradition”, but rather to dust it off, to give an alternative vision of the magic of Christmas, in line with its time, that is to say, concerned about its environment. , aware of the fragility of the planet and the efforts that humanity must make for protection.
In the end, this vision aroused the curiosity of a public enticed, recognized it, by the quarrels around the place of the conifer of end of year in town. “It’s clear, we came from all over to see the Bordeaux tree”. Culminating at 11 meters in height at the foot of the Saint-André cathedral, made up of hand-made glass panels and recycled steel, removable and reusable at will, the glass tree can boast of having a negative carbon footprint at after five years of use.
The message is clear. Perhaps it will infuse the spirits at the heart of a period conducive to festive overconsumption. Designer versed in eco-design, Arnaud Lapierre hopes so. “I would say that the glass Christmas tree opens the discussion on the place of art in our cities, questions our relationship to living things and emphasizes the importance of protecting biodiversity. Speaking of trees, I can’t help but remember that 47,000 hectares of our forests burned down this summer, particularly in Gironde, because of global warming. »