As part of a project to rehabilitate a disaffected aviary in Jardin des Plantes, Nantes’ Parks Department and Le Voyage à Nantes commissioned Pierrick Sorin to create an in situ art work.
After graduating from Nantes’ fine arts academy in 1988, local icon Pierrick Sorin became a leading figure in video art during the 1990s. Over time, his work has expanded into short films, visual installations, holographic devices, and stage design, particularly for opera.
To breathe new life into a disused aviary in Jardin des Plantes, the city’s parks and recreation department, along with Le Voyage à Nantes, invited Sorin to create an in-situ artwork, which he called: Hortulanus mirabilis (“The Wonderful Gardener”).
As part of his continued exploration of life-sized holographic characters, Sorin presents a scene of uncanny realism: a dreamy gardener, seemingly unaware of the danger he’s causing, burns dead leaves inside the aviary. Beyond its magical appearance, the situation unfolds through a series of amusing and poetic incidents.
Produced in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation department.
5 Rue Ecorchard, 44000 Nantes
How to get there?
Parking(s) nearby: Parking Gare Château, Parking Gare Sud 3
Public transport: Gare Nord - Jardin des Plantes, Trébuchet, Gare Sud, Bouteillerie
Self-service bicycles: Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Gare de nantes nord 2 (n°62), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Gare de nantes nord (n°60), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Jardin des plantes (n°63), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Gare de nantes sud (n°70), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Duchesse anne (n°49), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Lieu unique (n°61), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Saint clément (n°64)
Uneven cobbled surface around the artwork.
