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Children's Island (2018–2022)
At the Very Beginning
2018. Whilst I was looking for a playground surrounded by nature, a little corner of paradise for children, I discovered this wild stretch of the Bruche... The place was perfect, magical, but completely filthy.
NB: click on an image to enlarge it and see its description
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
The Bruche in autumn. Its course is obstructed by logs, branches, and various debris.
From closer up, the sheer quantity of refuse floating on the water’s surface becomes more distinct.
At this time of year, the river has returned to its bed. In the interim, it has deposited a significant amount of debris along its banks, near the site of the future 'Children’s Island.' It will be necessary to wait until winter to retrieve the floating waste, and then to use the current itself to clear away the log jams.
From Chaos to Light
The place had been disfigured. I had to make it safe and restore it to its original beauty! An unconscious excuse?
So I spent four years cleaning it up and turning it into a happy little island. In winter, the flood currents helped me move the logs and clear the waterway. The rest of the time, I worked with all my arms and legs, aided by a grapple, protected by a diving suit, removing whatever rubbish I could, pulling the wood out of the water, and restoring the banks.
The task seemed secondary to me and I cared little for the rubbish...
I was playing with the river! It carried me and enveloped me, with strength and delicacy. It soothed my melancholy in the gentle embrace of a languid dance. What more could one dream of? Moments of grace!
Coincidence? In the meantime, I discovered Hermann Hesse’s novel 'Siddhartha'. A revelation...
Children's Island, January 2021. The Bruche River is at high water.
Children's Island, January 2021.
Children's Island, January 2021.
The Bruche flows in complete freedom.
The Bruche flows in complete freedom.
January 2021. Children’s constructions from autumn are trapped in the frozen sand. The Bruche has receded.
The Bruche River flows freely once again in this early spring of 2021. The few logs remaining in place now serve as bridges to cross on dry foot.
View of the banks of Children's Island. Easter 2021.
The main course of the Bruche at Easter 2021.
May 2021. The Bruche flows peacefully.
It was from this angle that I first discovered the place in the autumn of 2018. Here is the site restored to its full magic, two and a half years later.
Spring 2021. General view of Children’s Island with the liberated river course and the branch tipi taking shape. The torii will be installed shortly thereafter behind the tipi.
Children's Island, January 2021. The Bruche River is at high water.
Children's Island, January 2021.
Children's Island, January 2021.
The Bruche flows in complete freedom.
The Bruche flows in complete freedom.
January 2021. Children’s constructions from autumn are trapped in the frozen sand. The Bruche has receded.
The Bruche River flows freely once again in this early spring of 2021. The few logs remaining in place now serve as bridges to cross on dry foot.
View of the banks of Children's Island. Easter 2021.
The main course of the Bruche at Easter 2021.
May 2021. The Bruche flows peacefully.
It was from this angle that I first discovered the place in the autumn of 2018. Here is the site restored to its full magic, two and a half years later.
Spring 2021. General view of Children’s Island with the liberated river course and the branch tipi taking shape. The torii will be installed shortly thereafter behind the tipi.
Children's Island, January 2021. The Bruche River is at high water.
Children's Island, January 2021.
Children's Island, January 2021.
The Bruche flows in complete freedom.
The Bruche flows in complete freedom.
January 2021. Children’s constructions from autumn are trapped in the frozen sand. The Bruche has receded.
The Bruche River flows freely once again in this early spring of 2021. The few logs remaining in place now serve as bridges to cross on dry foot.
View of the banks of Children's Island. Easter 2021.
The main course of the Bruche at Easter 2021.
May 2021. The Bruche flows peacefully.
It was from this angle that I first discovered the place in the autumn of 2018. Here is the site restored to its full magic, two and a half years later.
Spring 2021. General view of Children’s Island with the liberated river course and the branch tipi taking shape. The torii will be installed shortly thereafter behind the tipi.
With a Festive Air
Over time, as the riverbed was cleared, it transformed, gradually revealing pieces of wood carved by the elements. I went from one surprise to the next, filled with wonder. True treasures were being revealed to me! Delicate gifts bestowed by my initiatrix, whom I thanked in my silent conversation, promising to erect a torii*.
These pieces, rescued from the waters, gave rise to the ‘birthing the Self’ collection and, much later, following another long period of maturation, to the first pieces of the ‘On the Threshold’ series.
My favorite view of the Children's Island at the end of its landscaping, as the Bruche river flows quietly around it. February 2021.
The torii and the teepee on Children's Island in the background, with the Bruche river flowing peacefully in the center.
Children's Island with the teepee, the torii, and children's cabins. February 2022.
Children's Island, January 2022. The torii is in the foreground, the teepee in the second plane on the left, and the slightly flooded Bruche river flows freely in the background.
May 2021. Planing and preparing the tenons and mortises in my garage. All done by hand.
Children's Island, May 2021. The torii lies on the grass, ready to be assembled.
Children's Island, May 2021. The torii assembled and erected with the help of my favorite 'assistants.' Only the top lintel, lying on the ground, is missing.
Overview of Children's Island with the torii in the center and the teepee under construction on the right. The riverbank developments are still clearly visible. An arm of the Bruche meanders in the foreground. A log still serves as a "bridge" over the water. Another log was carried by the flood onto the "platform" that serves as a playground for the children. May 2021.
Children playing near the cabins on Children's Island, December 2021.
The torii and the children's cabins in the background, in winter. January 2022.
My favorite view of the Children's Island at the end of its landscaping, as the Bruche river flows quietly around it. February 2021.
The torii and the teepee on Children's Island in the background, with the Bruche river flowing peacefully in the center.
Children's Island with the teepee, the torii, and children's cabins. February 2022.
Children's Island, January 2022. The torii is in the foreground, the teepee in the second plane on the left, and the slightly flooded Bruche river flows freely in the background.
May 2021. Planing and preparing the tenons and mortises in my garage. All done by hand.
Children's Island, May 2021. The torii lies on the grass, ready to be assembled.
Children's Island, May 2021. The torii assembled and erected with the help of my favorite 'assistants.' Only the top lintel, lying on the ground, is missing.
Overview of Children's Island with the torii in the center and the teepee under construction on the right. The riverbank developments are still clearly visible. An arm of the Bruche meanders in the foreground. A log still serves as a "bridge" over the water. Another log was carried by the flood onto the "platform" that serves as a playground for the children. May 2021.
Children playing near the cabins on Children's Island, December 2021.
The torii and the children's cabins in the background, in winter. January 2022.
My favorite view of the Children's Island at the end of its landscaping, as the Bruche river flows quietly around it. February 2021.
The torii and the teepee on Children's Island in the background, with the Bruche river flowing peacefully in the center.
Children's Island with the teepee, the torii, and children's cabins. February 2022.
Children's Island, January 2022. The torii is in the foreground, the teepee in the second plane on the left, and the slightly flooded Bruche river flows freely in the background.
May 2021. Planing and preparing the tenons and mortises in my garage. All done by hand.
Children's Island, May 2021. The torii lies on the grass, ready to be assembled.
Children's Island, May 2021. The torii assembled and erected with the help of my favorite 'assistants.' Only the top lintel, lying on the ground, is missing.
Overview of Children's Island with the torii in the center and the teepee under construction on the right. The riverbank developments are still clearly visible. An arm of the Bruche meanders in the foreground. A log still serves as a "bridge" over the water. Another log was carried by the flood onto the "platform" that serves as a playground for the children. May 2021.
Children playing near the cabins on Children's Island, December 2021.
The torii and the children's cabins in the background, in winter. January 2022.
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