"The size of the island allows a real osmosis; you can take a bike and discover everything easily", underlines the 84-year-old artist, known worldwide for his striped columns in the main courtyard of the Palais-Royal in Paris.
An osmosis that he also wanted between his installations and nature.
Of his seven works, those that deviate the most from his usual work are, according to him, the two installations designed and made around trees, weakened in particular by storm Alex in October 2020.
The visual artist worked on the stumps of trees destroyed by the gusts and painted them with his famous black and white stripes.
"But nothing to do with the columns" of the Palais-Royal, he assures.
Daniel Buren in front of one of his works, on June 28, 2022 on the island of Arz, in Brittany Loic VENANCE AFP
Near a tide mill on the island, a white fence gives a glimpse of the sea through openings and follows the shapes of the branches and trunks of three Lambert's cypresses.
"That, I find that not bad," slips Daniel Buren with a smile.
“These trees catch the light in an incredible way”, describes the artist who had “never touched a tree before”.
- "Truly magical" -
It is precisely this work around the trees of the island that touches the most Jocelyne Le Boulicaut, 75 years old and resident of Vannes, who got on her bike to discover the work of Daniel Buren.
"It's really magical, we're very lucky to have that here," she exclaims.
A chance, which also delights the mayor of this small island of 230 inhabitants.
Barely elected in 2020, Jean Loiseau, former editor-in-chief of the Thalassa program, invited Daniel Buren.
Daniel Buren in front of one of his works, on June 28, 2022 on the island of Arz, in Brittany Loic VENANCE AFP
"I said to myself + chick +, without really believing it!", He says.
Finally the artist "adored the island", explains Mr. Loiseau.
An island that the artist did not know at the time, which was not unusual for him because he had no studio and always responded to requests.
Two visits, a few photos and sketches later, here are seven installations that highlight the landscapes of the island and invite you to discover them differently.
Like this frame placed on the side of a road in which we can see a bell tower or these red, orange, green, blue, yellow Plexiglas plates arranged on a path and which color the seascape.
A godsend for the mayor of this small island who admits "to always be afraid that this kind of island will become ossified, withdrawn".
Daniel Buren on the island of Arz, June 28, 2022 in Brittany Loic VENANCE AFP
"This project gives impetus," says Mr. Loiseau.
The exhibition "At the bend of roads and paths" is to be discovered until October 30, 2023.
© 2022 AFP