It never saw the light of day and yet it is a legend. The palm tree of Gorgier prison found its epilogue Tuesday evening at the Salle des spectacles in Saint-Aubin. The saga of this work of art concluded after twelve years with the public screening of a documentary dedicated to it. It was directed by Jacques Matthey and gives voice to all the protagonists of this incredible story.
The saga began in 2012. Christian Gonzenbach won the artistic competition launched by the State of Neuchâtel as part of the renovation of Gorgier prison. But he had to reckon with the discontent of part of the population. And oppositions to the multiple variants proposed… Oppositions which are not necessarily linked to the work of Christian Gonzenbach, but to the resentment of the inhabitants at having this prison on municipal territory.
Several variants were studied to establish this 18 meter high palm tree. It was initially to be installed in the prison, then in a neighboring field. Two other variants are subsequently imagined in the lake. In August of this year, the Council of State announced that the project was abandoned. Well, not quite. It will continue to live through this documentary and 35 minutes. The artist also designed 1,500 key rings in the shape of a palm tree. Key rings that have been patinated with Gorgier pebbles. A happy epilogue for State Councilor Alain Ribaux, who bears no resentment from this story…
For Marie-Thérèse Bonadonna, the head of the Culture Department of the Canton of Neuchâtel, this story reminds us that public space is a shared space, with a history and a context of relationship with people. Here, the rejection of this prison by the population. And lessons must be learned from this saga.
The palm tree never saw the light of day, but it remains in everyone's memory. It exists without having existed. And that’s one of Christian Gonzenbach’s satisfactions. He takes the example of the palm tree replica at the BeRock festival, this summer at La Grande Béroche. “These people are doing what I couldn't do. »
In addition to this documentary, the palm tree will change thanks to the creation of 1,500 key rings representing a palm tree. The artist went further, he patinated them with stones and water from Lake Neuchâtel.
Residents of La Grande Béroche can pick up a key ring for free at the town counter starting this Wednesday. /sma
