Wooden it be nice! (Click on this title!)

The members of the Lycée Gerbert artists’ workshop have created a “sitting room” under the trees on the lawn opposite the self-service restaurant.

It took them six months to complete.

The materials used are: driftwood of various sizes, rope, metal chair frames, and a car windscreen for the coffee table top.

The furniture is robust, handsome, smooth to the touch, in various shades of brown.

It looks like something clever Robinson Crusoe would have made or, from afar, because "you can’t see the wood for the trees", a piece of Land Art.

The recycled materials used were chosen because they are free, easy to transport, easy to find, but nonetheless aesthetically pleasing.

There was also an ethical - ecological - consideration to make something from as little man-made materials as possible (using minimal energy to produce).

It is not just practical garden furniture because the artists have made a real effort at making something that is more than craftwork, it is also artistic.

It is spectacular to look at, especially the bench, and great to feel.

It also makes us think: making something that is useful to Man from natural materials (i.e. it becomes cultural) whilst keeping its natural aspect is a fun but disconcerting way to make us wonder about our relationship to the natural world (how we over-exploit it).

The fact that a sitting room has been put jokingly in the middle of a field also makes us think about the “our place in nature” question.

The private view last Tuesday, in the presence of the artists, the art teachers Mr. Bauzil and Mr. Gilbert, Gilles Sellier the sculptor, and several pupils and teachers, was good-humoured, with juice and pancakes and crunchy biscuits.

All that was missing was the sunshine!

People took pictures and listened to M. Bauzil present the artists and explain their work.

The Headmaster thanked the artists and their teachers and everybody applauded loudly.

This creation will be exposed throughout the year.

You are welcome to sit and admire, but, remember, it is precious because it is the result of a lot of thought and effort, and after all, it is a work of art you are sitting on, so: show respect please!

Thank you to Thibault for answering our questions and to all the artists for creating something original and beautiful for our lycée.

Caroline F, Céline M & Peter N