Discovering Art

The second week of my visit to Perpignan has dawned, and already so much has changed. Instead of wandering lost in random alleys, I have a purpose when I walk. Instead of just saying, “Sorry I don’t speak French,” and then continuing to order my Nutella gelato in English, I attempt to speak the language. The most enjoyable change however is the knowledge I have gained of some local art – specifically a sculptor by the name of Pierre Renard.

            I was visiting a nearby town called St. Cyprien when, by chance, I started talking to a man who worked at a local hotel. I told him that my purpose of being in France is to create a journalistic story through video and text about something or someone unique in the area. Without hesitation he handed me Pierre Renard’s business card, telling me his sculptures are very well known in local areas. So, later that week I ventured off to Mr. Renard’s abode, which rested in a strikingly hot, but quiet part of town.

            What I found was remarkable. Sculptures of all different sizes and textures decorated the inside and out of his house. I saw some made of marble, some wood and some even bronze, which he says is the most difficult to make. The curves and smoothness of his art gave a peaceful flow of a feeling to his house. All were unique from each other but still shared the complex characteristic of beauty. I was in awe and slightly overwhelmed as I took it all in.

            Mr. Renard proceeded to explain how his passion for sculpting started and where he acquired his distinctive style. It turns out that he began as a cake baker and would create the decorations and designs on each dessert. He even entered contests where he would win first prize for cake decorating. After some time however, he grew tired of just cake decorating and asked himself, why not sculpting? From then on, his new career as a sculptor began.

            This proved him to be a very spontaneous character, always set off to find new adventure, a quality which I admire. Soon after making his decision, he attended an art school in Perpignan, where he learned about a famous sculptor named Brancusi, and was inspired by him. They do have similar abstract and curvy styles, but Renard truly has transformed it to be his own.

            Today Mr. Renard still works, but not as often as he use to when he first started about 20 years ago. He does most of his work for charity; one in particular is a library for the blind and deaf.  But even though he is slowly coming to an end with his art, he still states, “the sculptor is finished when there is nothing more to give.”

Don’t forget to look up! 

When you walk around an American city, do you ever look up? Maybe if birds are overhead so that you are prepared to dodge their bullets. In general, though, I rarely find myself looking up. Since I came to Perpignan, France however, I find myself forgetting to look down.

            After being here for almost a week now I have come to realize all the beauty around me. From the pastry shops and cafes at every corner to the bright, multi-colored buildings, there is always something to look at. Even the local stray dogs running around add amusement and character to the city. But these are all the recognizable aspects of Perpignan that most can’t miss. The real beauty, for me, is often hidden, and it’s sometimes just overhead. Luckily for me, I was able to discover this quickly.

            On our second night in France, my teachers and the other fourteen students studying abroad with me took a short stroll around the town. One of my teachers, Florence Delseny Sobra, who was born and raised in Perpignan, pointed out different qualities of the town. When she told the group to always look up while in France, I gained a whole new perspective on the city. I noticed gargoyles on top of roofs, colorful tiles underneath balcony floors, three-dimensional paintings on the top of what use to be bare walls, and even a little crafted ship gracefully propped atop a building. It was all so unique, nothing you could ever see back home in America. The architecture is also outstanding. There are domes and decorated columns around the city. Again, these details aren’t necessarily right in front of you, but are noticeable if you just tilt your head back a bit.

            I’m sure I haven’t seen all there is to see in the quaint city and probably never will. But while I’m here, I plan to take in as much as I can. It’s funny how the first big lesson I learned could possibly be one of the most important lessons of all on this trip, especially since it could apply anywhere. Now I know to take the time and look around me when traveling so that I don’t miss a thing. I encourage you to do the same; don’t forget to always look up!