Swifts, flights and borders

I have been fortunate to return to the Alps to paint again. This time to participate in the Eternelles Crapules Festival, in Briançon. A small French town hidden between valleys and mountains with incredible landscapes. And I must say that the road there was not entirely easy, but finally everything turned out well. It is a paradox but I would like to tell you about it:

It had never happened to me before, but when you participate in these types of festivals, creative "freedom" is usually one of the pillars, but it couldn't be completely like that. I had to go back in my steps and, after many changes, give my arm to twist to present a new sketch, which did not talk about borders, immigration or refugees. I must emphasize that it was not a matter of the organization. Sometimes it is difficult to talk about what yourself would like, and migrations are among these sensitive topics.
Making the decision to accept it and move on was not easy. I looked for a way to continue talking about what I would, without speaking directly about it, and I found a good ally in the royal swifts. I really wanted to go to Briançon to participate in the festival, but it was clear to me that I couldn't not talk about what happened, and that the opinion of some should not influence my participation.

After all, how could I not participate in a project like this in a place like Briançon.

After 17 hours of travel and 4 different vehicles, a vaccination passport and several stopovers, I arrived in Briançon to carry out this mural and to participate in the festival together with the rest of the artists.

My new proposal has had the Royal Swift (Apus apus) as protagonist. A bird that does not need to touch land to cross borders. Every year they travel twice throughout Europe and Africa. They can and do travel thousands of kilometers without perching, without giving explanations and without needing them. They are animals that can spend several months flying in the air, without having to stop, to their final destinations in search of better climates.

They cross the Mediterranean Sea in large groups, fly over the Pyrenees or the Alps and reach the Carpathians, then they return to warmer areas after a few months.

It has been a pleasure to be part of this festival and have enjoyed this place, see you soon without a doubt.
Thanks to Lucas and Maelle for all the effort and to all the artists I have met there.

Ah, the return at least was more enjoyable…



Pictures by Fabe Collage.