Created using the silhouette of a dead tree, this 12-metre (39-foot) tall work consists of three identical trees cast in bronze, upon which approximately 80 birds, in five different designs, are perched.
As an initial nod to the saying, “not seeing the forest for the trees,” the average urbanite’s desire for a forest is subtly woven into this urban environment. The work is subtly made part of the park, and comes to life at dusk as the golden birds glow in a gentle halo of twilight.
Un arbre-la forêt was created for the 2024 Voyage à Nantes, which celebrated trees. It was restored, and the birds in its branches have since been gilded in gold leaf.
Éric Fonteneau was born in 1954. He lives and works in Nantes.
Square Élisa-Mercœur, Cr John Kennedy, 44000 Nantes
How to get there?
Parking(s) nearby: Parking Baco-LU 2 côté CHU, Parking Baco-LU 1 côté gare, Parking Gare Château, Parking Cité des Congrès, Parking Feydeau, Parking Decré-Bouffay, Parking Hôtel Dieu
Public transport: Monteil, Bouffay, Duchesse Anne - Château, Lieu Unique, Cité des Congrès, St-Pierre
Self-service bicycles: Strasbourg, Moulin, Olivettes, Cité internationale des congrès, Baco, Verdun, Château, Lieu unique, Ricordeau, Foch, Commerce, Duchesse anne, Bouffay
