Debate: “Art, Nature and Territory”, pylons sculptures of Elena Paroucheva

IHEDATE Thursday, March 8 focuses on the question of relations between art and territories. An issue of attractiveness and image, which manifests itself today with the formation of metropolitan poles.

Festivals, cultural capitals, creation of new museums, street art … Taking advantage of decentralization which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, the culture has spread throughout the territories. So much so, says IHEDATE (Institute for Advanced Studies of development and spatial planning in Europe) that the creation and art have become a critical strategic issue for the development of territories. This is also one of the objectives assigned to the Grand Paris: “Become one of the greatest cultural cities in the world with a strong identity and visibility on the essential European and international scene, such as to strengthen its tourist interest and the influence of our country in the world. ” For a long time yet, the province no longer ashamed to face the Ile-de-France. The “capital region” does indeed ranks in mid-table, among the regions of France, for the number of cultural facilities per capita. This cultural effervescence has also its share of failures, demonstrated that single figure: half of the 1,214 museums in France have fewer than 10,000 visitors a year … Hence the need for art in the service of a true political attractiveness, rather than vice versa.
To celebrate their tenth promotion IHEDATE and the association of his listeners (AA-IHEDATE) have rightly chosen to focus on the relationship between “Art and territories” at a seminar organized in Saint-Denis on March 8. More than 250 people, almost half of the 550 auditors trained so far by the institute are expected. The floor will be artists themselves, and all of this exhibition with commentary by the authors. “We did not want a conference where elected officials and experts talk about them, but ask artists to give their vision of the territories,” says Olivier Landel, president of the AA-IHEDATE.

Metropolitan poles

Several topics will be discussed, starting with the place of artists in their territory. “The cities, like Berlin or trying to do that Saint-Denis, facilitated the installation artists, have triggered an urban and cultural dynamics,” said Olivier Landel. “Encouraging artistic expression does not necessarily mean the fund is more a way to make it more attractive,” he says.
Whereas beyond speeches, planners are still struggling to integrate greenery into their projects, the day a panel discussion devoted to the relations between art, nature and territory. The particular opportunity to discover the original work of the Bulgarian artist Elena Paroucheva that reinvents the pylons of the city of Amneville-les-Thermes. “A fake tree costs 80,000 euros. My sculptures cost the same. My goal is not to hide the network, but the highlight,” she argues.
Today, the establishment of metropolitan poles of the Act of December 16, 2010 opens new horizons in art. Culture becomes a way to develop an identity. It is the heart of the metropolitan center being formed between Lyon, St. Etienne, Vienne and north of the Isere, Landel says Olivier. All major cultural events in each city – the biennial dance and contemporary art of Lyon, Vienne Jazz Festival, Biennale of street arts Bourgoin, Design Biennial in Saint-Etienne, etc.. – Will now be coordinated. On the other side of the Hexagon, the Nantes-Saint Nazaire suffered far a poor image. What’s common between Nantes city tertiary one hand, and Saint-Nazaire, working-class town on the other? The creation of an artistic journey of 60 km along the Loire estuary, with works created in situ by international artists, now favors the emergence of this metropolitan identity …

Texte by Michel Tendil, Photographer: Deyan Parouchev

Website Organizer:  IHEDATE

Website artiste E. Paroucheva:  http://www.art-elena.com/

Website photographer, Deyan Parouchev: http://deyan-parouchev.com

Exhibition Elena Paroucheva “The esthetics of the overhead energy grides”

Exhibition Elena Paroucheva “The esthetics of the overhead energy grides”

Debate: “Art, Nature and Territory”, pylons sculptures of the artist Elena Paroucheva

Debate: “Art, Nature and Territory”, pylons sculptures of the artist Elena Paroucheva

“Art and Territory” March 8, 2012 , Atelier de Christofle, Saint Denis - FRANCE

Debate: “Art, Nature and Territory” Elena Paroucheva - artist and Jean-Michel Lobry - journalist.