“Don’t leave me”, “I loved you, I love you, I will love you”, “Exactly under the sun”, “What remains of our loves? », « Retiens la nuit »… The titles are written in large letters on the balconies and the entrance arch of the Blés d’Or retirement home, in Saint-Baldoph, on the outskirts of Chambéry. On the facade of the Savoyard nursing home, these songs faded by time find the color of tenderness. This aesthetic-musical intervention is the work of Théo Mercier. The 38-year-old artist asked residents to choose their favorite songs from those recorded in “the terminal”, a kind of digital jukebox installed in the entrance hall.
On this sunny Thursday at the end of November, the refrain of “ Eventually we get used to it” assures the musical welcome. In his wheelchair, Mr. Duffaud, in a woolen jacket, tie and slippers, falls asleep gently to the sound of Daniel Guichard’s deep voice. Welcome to the first art center in an Ehpad. Or the opposite.
On the second floor, visual artist Darius Dolatyari, 28, invited the volunteers to a collage workshop in the large living room which has a magnificent view of the vertiginous Mont Granier. Five people answered the call at the start of the afternoon. The schedule is not ideal. It’s nap time. No choice. Afterwards, you have to give way to the knitting club and finally, at 4.30 p.m., to the most popular meeting of the week: mass.
Armed with scissors, glue sticks and patience, the young artist
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