The parishioners are initially taken aback by this notice: FOR SALE.
The intended effect is achieved, and Willette, from way up high in the eternal clouds, must appreciate it. The artist of Montmartre, the regular at the Chat Noir, the non-believer who nonetheless in 1925 requested a mass for artists who were about to die, in a sort of gladiator’s vow, saluting not the emperor, but God.
Willette organized his mass on Ash Wednesday at Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, a provocative act, a stone thrown into the pond of conformist minds, and a mass that became a tradition in Paris. It was probably unknown to the parishioners of Nice, but today, and for the second year, thanks to Brother Yves Marie Lequin, chaplain to the artists, it brought together over thirty painters, visual artists, sculptors, and also musicians and opera singers at the Church of Saint Pierre d’Arène.
A sad clown, somewhat Harlequin, somewhat mime, and above all poignant, animated his Columbine, mask, refined mask, Vivaldi evoked, played, led us to Venice. The mass, the divine service, became a performance, that of Faith. You are but dust…
But the works endure. The homily plunged us into the intimacy of this Montmartre artist, somewhat anarchist, especially revolted against the hypocrisy of the self-righteous. It all began with a concert, and once the service was over, another concert concluded the ceremony.
We entered Lent, the quadragesima, penance and repentance. The curtain fell on the large assembled crowd of a church that had become too small. There was too much to see, admire, and listen to. The puppet had left, Harlequin de-masked vanished into the crowd. One would have to return to better admire the works displayed in the nave, the choir, and the chapels of this parish.
Saint Pierre d’Arène has in some way become a museum, and until March 31, 2013, you can daily admire the artistic expressions of these painters, visual artists, and sculptors who, through their Faith, pay homage both to Willette and to God.
Thierry Jan
