For the 70th anniversary of the Palme d’Or, the artist and gilder Jean-Christophe Rousseau will deliver a unique performance in the world. He will cover a 20-meter-high palm tree with gold leaves in the gardens of the Mondrian in Cannes. Since yesterday, and for three days, he has started his challenge on the occasion of the Cannes Festival, which will be held from May 12 next.
How did you come up with the idea of covering a palm tree with gold leaves for the Cannes Festival?
“The idea came to me while creating a special piece concerning Cannes at the end of last year. On this piece, I had engraved a palm tree in gold, and upon looking at it, I thought I should make a real palm tree in gold. So, I proposed my idea to the town hall, to the mayor, and the municipal team. I searched on the Croisette for the ideal palm tree. I found it at the entrance of the Mondrian gardens, and I discussed it with the managers at Mondrian. Then they immediately opened their doors to me. We set up the operation for next week, and we will cover this palm tree with gold leaves before the festival. This will allow us to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Palme d’Or.”
Why specifically did you choose this particular palm tree within the Mondrian gardens in Cannes?
I was looking for a palm tree that was quite tall but not too much, visible on the Croisette, but where people could approach without it being problematic in terms of traffic and safety. Palm trees that are, for example, in the middle of the road or on the side of the road could pose problems with vehicles. As it is slightly set back, the public can see it and approach without any safety issues.
Have you been in contact with film or public personalities for this project?
No, not at all, at least not at the moment. When the Festival starts, I think many personalities will come to see this palm tree out of curiosity. But for now, only people from the city of Cannes and the Mondrian hotel have been involved.
What are the main technical difficulties?
The main technical difficulties are that if it rains, we cannot work, and there is a little rain forecast for next week. If there is a lot of wind, close to the ground it is one thing, but at 20 meters high, which is the height of the palm tree… In that case, there will certainly be more wind, and the gold leaves are very fragile, very delicate to handle. This could indeed pose several challenges for us to realize, but that’s the challenge! It is both an artistic performance to accomplish this and a challenge. It has never been done before: it is a world first.
What is the cost of the gold leaves?
It will depend on the number of leaves we will lay. We won’t know until the end; for now, they are only estimates of 10,000 gold leaves. But the cost of gold will certainly represent between 40,000 and 50,000 euros.
This is a tribute to the 70 years of the Palme d’Or. Do you also wish to convey a personal message?
It’s not necessarily a message, but an artistic performance. What interests me is that it doesn’t exist in the world. And don’t forget it’s a living sculpture. We use a 100% natural technique that allows the palm tree to breathe, and it will remain golden. Anyway, for several months during the summer season. We will decide later with the Mondrian what to do. But there is the aspect of artistic performance, and there is the aspect of the world’s first, and the fact of working on a living sculpture.
How is it possible that this performance is respectful of the environment?
Imagine as if we were adding a veil or dress to the palm tree. So we do not harm it, nor use any harmful products that could deteriorate or damage the palm tree in any way. And the layer of gold we place on the palm tree is very thin; a gold leaf represents one-tenth of a micron, so it is very, very thin, and that’s why from an outside perspective it gives the appearance of massive gold. But from the tree’s interior point of view, it is just a small veil and in no way prevents it from breathing.
How can you combine nature and gold in an ephemeral artwork displayed outdoors?
Gold is a natural mineral since we go looking for it in mines. So it is extracted from the planet, it is a natural product. It’s just that here it is used in an original way. The gold is present to highlight nature, to highlight a magnificent palm tree, which I am sure will be the most beautiful palm tree on the Croisette this summer.
Do you still love working with gold leaf after 20 years of career?
Oh yes, always, it’s always the same passion as soon as I see a gold leaf. As I say, I am still in love. I find it fascinating and magical. If it were not, I would not be doing this today. You must be passionate to do what I do, and I continue precisely because of that. Gold always fascinates me, it inspires me and gives me new ideas like the creation of this world’s first gold palm tree.
Where did you draw your inspiration and imagination from at the start?
Imagination comes every day; it comes from reading, listening to music, walking in nature. There are a thousand ways to stimulate one’s imagination. But the fact is that gold always inspires me, and as I say, gold is truly the perfect metal. It is unalterable and non-oxidizing, perfect in all its forms, with its only limit being our imagination.
Is it important to you that art is also present in public places, like the Croisette?
The goal was to mix luxury, cinema, and also the general public. I didn’t want this palm tree to be hidden and only accessible to certain people. Everyone will be able to approach it and admire it. That’s why it’s important to me that it is in an accessible place and that everyone can enjoy it.
What will become of this palm tree?
Gold being unalterable and non-oxidizing, it will not change. We will either decide to keep the artwork longer or remove the gold leaves, we’ll see after six months.”
