Art comes to Beauval
Friday the 22nd of March 2024 was a new date to add to the calendar of the numerous events that have marked the life of the ZooParc. This date witnessed the installation of an exceptional work of art: a sculpture by the artist Michel BASSOMPIERRE, entitled “Yuan Meng, a dream come true”.
A fitting symbol…
This sculpture is symbolic of the entrance into one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, the aim of which is to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting animal biodiversity. And so, art takes centre stage at the zoo, giving visitors the opportunity to take in an exceptional masterpiece and view the natural world around them in a different light… Discovering one of France’s greatest contemporary sculptors is the perfect way to start a visit to the 4th most beautiful zoo in the world! Especially given that zoological parks are cultural centres where knowledge is passed on. Visiting a zoological park is a universal cultural experience and is often a family activity that includes several generations: one French person in three visits a zoo over the course of a year. Zoological parks are an integral part of French culture. The ZooParc de Beauval came 9th in a recent TripAdvisor ranking of the “best things to do”, just behind the major cultural monuments in Paris! According to the AFdPZ (French Association of Zoological Parks), zoological parks (in France and French overseas territories) welcome a total of 24 million visitors and 1 million schoolchildren every year.
The installation of this work of art in the early spring of 2024 is the conclusion of a project that began almost two years ago between Michel BASSOMPIERRE, a world-renowned animal sculptor, and the management of the ZooParc.
The artist and the Delord family quickly agreed that they wanted to create an original work in homage to biodiversity, to its strengths and its fragility. With that in mind, the depiction of a female giant panda and her cub was an obvious choice. As a global emblem for the protection of endangered species, a key umbrella species, and a symbol of Franco-Chinese friendship… what better animal could there be to symbolise all these criteria than the giant panda?
And so it was that the artist chose the giant panda as the subject of a new piece of work. From that moment on, the project unfolded in several stages: from sketches made deep inside the ZooParc to the inauguration of this monumental bronze statue.
Let’s get to know one of the greatest contemporary animal sculptors
Born in Paris in 1948, Michel BASSOMPIERRE is one of the greatest contemporary animal sculptors. His charming, touching work highlights the beauty of animals, emphasising both their strength and tenderness. His sculptures in marble or bronze - with their rounded, voluminous forms - soothe the eye and invite the viewer to caress them. His bears, horses, elephants, and gorillas populate not only his studio but also galleries and collections around the world. He has permanent exhibitions throughout France including Paris, Cannes, Honfleur, Saint-Paul-de-Vence… and further afield in New York, Miami, London, Venice, Valencia, Brussels, and Monaco.
Committed to the cause
In order to raise the awareness of both young and old alike about the need to preserve nature, Michel BASSOMPIERRE often invites environmental NGOs or renowned scientists to speak at the conferences he organises as part of his exhibitions. He supports numerous environmental associations such as the WWF, the LPO, “France Nature Environnement” and “le Projet pour la Conservation des Grands Singes”…
Sketches and drafts from deep inside Beauval
On the 11th of January 2023, Michel BASSOMPIERRE set up camp in front of the giant pandas’ enclosure, sketchbook in hand. Understanding the shapes and morphology of his animal subject is key to Michel’s work. Not to mention capturing the right proportions and expression. This careful observation resulted in a first rough model in clay… Here’s a recap of this initial stage.
From clay… to plaster modelling
On the 6th of March 2023, Michel BASSOMPIERRE’s studio was the setting for the first modelling of the mother and her cub in clay. Then it was time for plaster casting, the next stage in the creation of the piece. This plaster was then scaled up several times before reaching its final size of 2.50 m. Take a peek inside the workshop in our video.
The inauguration
The official inauguration attended by Rodolphe and Sophie Delord, the artist Michel BASSOMPIERRE, and numerous officials…
