This year, the grand prize of the Lépine committee of the city of Nice was awarded this Friday in the salons of Villa Masséna to Nicholas Ayache and Ernest Pignon Ernest. The ceremony, presented by Mr. Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, celebrated this prize, which honors both an artist and a scientist, and the description of the work of the two recipients of 2019 took place in front of a large audience dedicated to culture and science.
In 2016, Ernest Pignon Ernest presented his “Extases” at the recently restored and inaugurated Abbey of Saint Pons. This encounter between Baroque and contemporary art was probably the trigger for the restoration of this abbey, which is very dear to the hearts of the people of Nice. Ernest Pignon Ernest, a child of Riquier, is credited with the decoration of the Garibaldi station on line 2 of the tramway, where the hero of two worlds is associated with the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Here, too, lies a whole symbolism for those who know the history of Nice and its origins.
Between art and science, we joyfully leap over borders, but are there any? Not really. Nicholas Ayache is one of the major players of this 21st century, full of hope with artificial intelligence, digital technology, and medicine.
Thus, we find ourselves back in Greece with the Odyssey and its mythology. Epione, the wife of Asclepius, is the name given to his research institute. Mythology, art, and science blend perfectly.
There is a link between the artist and the scientist, and these two laureates are in perfect harmony at this ceremony. The artist challenges us, and the scientist, through research, will help us towards a better life with advancements in science and medicine. In a word, the progress of humanity is a perpetual adaptation to new realities. This Jean Lépine prize is a tribute to a great doctor who lived in Nice and also the perpetuation of his memory.
Thierry Jan
