Breathing Trees in London’s Russell Square

I am in London for the Olympic Games. When crossing Russell square late in the evening, I discovered a sound and light installation in the trees. It is called Breathing Trees and lasts until Friday July 27.

 

The film on the Bosco della Ragnaia

The short documentary on the Bosco della Ragnaia I shot in May is online. The film was commissioned by Sheppard Craige, the artist making  this incredible garden, to keep the record of the place as it was in spring 2012. It was really nice to work with him as he gave me full freedom to shoot the documentary.  He didn’t want to be in the film, but I finally managed to convince him to record his voice and to appear very briefly in a sequence.

I have done radio documentaries for France-Culture and BBC Radio4 and this is my first try at doing a documentary film on a garden. It is not an easy thing as a garden is very quiet, doesn’t move much. It is all about contemplation and slow movement. I wanted the film to be also a portrait of an artist.

My friends Bernadette Dupont in Belgium and Laure in Paris, who are both producing movies, gave me useful advices during the editing and several friends photographers or working in the design field sent me also their views on the first versions I made. Thanks to everyone!

I know I will keep going on with the Bosco as Sheppard already asked me to shoot a second film, something very different,  next autumn and winter. I am also looking forward to shoot films on other gardens.

 

 

Piazza Vittorio, Rome

First shooting early this morning for a project on the garden of Piazza Vittorio in Rome with the neighborhood committee. The 19^th century garden, located in a multi-ethnic area of the Esquilino, is a public park where local people spend a lot of time. From Tai-chi in the morning to cinema screening late in the evning, it is always busy.  There is also the magic door, built in the 17^th by Marquis of Pietraforte on the site where, according to the legend, an alchemist found the secret for producing gold.

I will go back a few times in the next months to take pictures and shoot a short film about the place.

 

The Magic Door