In the village of Pierrefitte-sur-Aire, in the Meuse department, a group of residents decided to work with the local council to develop a newly created square following the demolition of dilapidated buildings.
In the heart of this village of 330 inhabitants, following the acquisition and demolition of a dilapidated house by the municipality, a cleared area in the shape of a square was left abandoned. It overlooks the D902 departmental road, used in particular by the Meuse-TGV shuttle for trains to and from Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Nancy. It offers 150 m² of blank walls left exposed by the destruction of the building. The municipality wishes to continue the redevelopment of the town centre and this crossroads by developing this central square.
The New patrons want to enable the population to gather in a convivial atmosphere and celebrate together their attachment to their environment, particularly the nearby forest. Rather than simply developing the square, which would be a public works project, they wanted to see this project take shape through the creation of a generous work of art. They called on Vent des Forêts to assist them, who suggested commissioning French painter Noël Varoqui.
He imagines La Révérence, consisting of a large mural and a landscaped garden. The painting features a motif of undergrowth and large white drapes emerging from the foliage. In keeping with the painting, he designed the entire landscaping of the square, selecting trees (hornbeam, field maple, birch, etc.), shrubs (dogwood, elderberry, hawthorn, etc.) and white-flowering perennials (woodruff, wood anemone, valerian, etc.) thus creating a whole that offers a constantly changing experience throughout the seasons. The work provides a space for contemplation and encounter for the residents. It reaffirms the bond that unites them and that made this creation possible. It allows them to recognise themselves in an artistic achievement that makes the area shine beyond its immediate perimeter.
