Officially launched this Saturday, the Voyage à Nantes has already been attracting smiles and selfies for a few days and the appearance of the first works in the public space. After two editions deemed a little disappointing, the cultural and artistic event of the summer intends to make an impression again until September 3 in the streets along the green line, with a central theme: statues. “We had never worked on this subject whereas these are obvious elements of Nantes, justifies Jean Blaise, the director of the VAN. It’s a very good way to rediscover the city, thanks to the eyes of the artists. »
The most attentive visitors will first be able to find well-known statues. Or rather copies, and not in the places we expect them to be. Next to the castle, opposite the tourist office, it is for example the allegory of Nantes, usually at the top of the fountain in the Place Royale, which seems to be taking a short break, sitting on the ramparts.
“The objective was for her to find a little humanity, like appeasement, comments the artist Olivier Texier, who also teleported General Cambronne to a terrace in Place Graslin, on the same principle. Place du Bouffay, he is the hero of the now famous Praise of the side step which descended from its base to turn into Praise of displacement. The resin work, which already arouses the curiosity of the public like the original, will be moved several times during the summer.
“It’s really stylish”
But among the statues, “there are also the invaders,” warned Jean Blaise. For discover them, visitors obviously went to rue d’Orléans, where one of the strong proposals of this new edition is located. The monumental work of Chinese artist Xu Zhen, made up of 19 sculptures including Jesus Christ, Athena and the Statue of Liberty, has an effect. “It’s really stylish with all the arms going in all directions, observes Johan. It’s classic but at the same time super modern. »
On the new Place du Commerce, six funny little characters are already attracting a lot of people, especially children. “It is a free interpretation of the evolution of Humanity, informs the artist Olaf Breuning. With the common trait of the inverted mouth, which represents the permanent dissatisfaction of society. “A work that is already announced as permanent, even if the place has not yet been defined.
More contemporary sculptures, exhibitions, a revamped tram, discovery of lesser-known places… are also part of this new edition of Voyage à Nantes. “We regained our freedom to act, with the absurd, the surreal, the intimate… So that the people of Nantes can find their journey again”, is satisfied Jean Blaise. The enthusiasm noted by the first visitors does not seem to contradict this for the moment.