140 tons of steel, 1,279 tubes, 100 meters long, 20 meters high… Impressive figures, reflective of the athletes’ alley, a monumental sculpture erected in Beijing for the upcoming Olympic Games. The production of this work by the Belgian sculptor Olivier Strebelle, aged 81, installed at the entrance of the Olympic village, was entrusted to Gad Weil. Non-figurative in appearance, this work represents five figures holding the five Olympic rings. A clear symbol of the common desire to express solidarity among peoples, despite a tense political context. “A significant tension was felt during the frictions around the passage of the Olympic flame,” acknowledges Gad Weil. “But this sculpture is the link between political disagreements and the desire to preserve the friendship among peoples.”
Promotion of Negritude
Now heading to Senegal: in December 2009, the 3rd edition of the World Festival of Black Arts (Fesman) will take place, for which Gad Weil is in charge of delegated production. The continent is changing, but the friendship among peoples remains. Born in 1966 from the debate on negritude between Lรฉopold Sรฉdar Senghor and Aimรฉ Cรฉsaire, this event resurfaced in Nigeria in 1977. It is now back in Senegal, where it will host 84 countries representing the global reach of African culture across all arts. Besides his role as the ‘coach’ of this large team of artists, Gad Weil was also tasked with mobilizing sufficient funding to carry out this project. “The 45 million euro budget is funded 70% by private funds and 30% by international public funds,” he specifies.
Man Overboard!
Closer to us, it is in Brest, from July 11 to 17, that Gad Weil will stage his next event. And not the least, for this man of the land, since it is the grand nautical parade. “I’m rather seasick,” he laughs, “but while immersing myself in Breton culture, I was able to keep an outside perspective and bring new ideas.” Particularly by adopting the formula of carnival enthusiasts, dear to his heart. The Povigna dragon will also be part of the event, just to show that the people of Nice are also capable of exporting their expertise…
“Carnival is not a political platform”
The Nice Carnival, precisely: will Gad Weil take the reins of the 2009 edition? Although the municipality has not yet announced its intentions, the artistic director has an idea on the matter. “After 12 years of work, I would find it normal to pass on the baton,” he explains, “but in collaboration with my successor, which remains to be imagined.” Moreover, according to him, the Carnival has now reached a level of maturity allowing it to go further, particularly in seeking large partnerships. With its international influence, the event seems to have regained its luster. “If 98% of the people working on the Carnival are from Nice, that doesn’t mean we should close off to other propositions,” believes Gad Weil. Quite the contrary, the debate opposing popular tradition and modernity is outdated.” Just like the dichotomy between official and independent carnivals. At the time of the global village, Gad Weil thinks the two should join forces to work together, with an aim for economic development. An approach that fits within the Euromรฉditerranรฉe program launched by Nicolas Sarkozy. While Marseille is the master city, Gad Weil believes that Nice could be the “flamboyant capital.” With economic activity, a cultural hub, and a sports hub, Nice could become the place where people share their sense of belonging to the mare nostrum. Provided that the City Hall, the General Council, and CANCA mobilize to finance the project 50%…
See the interview on the Nice Carnival on Web TV Nice
This video is from the Web TV Nice site, www.webtvnice.com
