04bis. Spiralis
In this garden designed to reflect the Fibonacci golden spiral, the forest represents the source of life. It invites the viewer to become aware of the importance of the natural environment we live in and have transformed. The forest appeared spontaneously and was tamed by the hand of man over time, until it became a garden. This place of resources, well-being and beauty is the key to our survival. There are solutions to repair and improve our quality of life, such as recycling, self-sufficiency and self-regulation. They can be found in the greenhouse at the far end of the garden, in the pond and in the representations of small animals - a butterfly and metal hedgehog. All these features of our gardens are represented, showcasing the endless cycle of life, evolution, fertility, movement, new beginnings, regeneration and learning. Follow the spiral path and realise that it is lined with precious plants and techniques that are worth their weight in gold, now and in the future.
DESIGNER
Maëlle Delassus is a landscape architect and designer of gardens. She is a graduate from the Groupe Antoine-de-Saint-Exupéry in Rennes. Her passion for drawing is what led her to landscape design. At the age of 16, she discovered Alpine landscapes for the very first time, drew them and became aware of the positive influence that landscapes can have on us. As a result, she enrolled on an apprenticeship landscaping course and obtained her French baccalaureate, BTS (HND equivalent) and then degree in “Landscape design and urban planning”. At the age of 24, she switched to standing at the front of the classroom and became a Landscaping Trainer for apprentices studying for their French CAP and BP vocational training diplomas in landscaping. She learnt a lot from this experience, both on a professional and personal level, and then consequently decided to be her own boss. She founded her company during this time, a design office called Pen’spectiv, providing services for both individuals and companies. She applied to the Festival primarily to fulfil a dream she had as a student, but also to demonstrate her determination in the field of landscaping, which was very male-dominated when she first started out. The mountains, which represented the start of her journey towards landscaping, were the perfect choice to portray her career path. “As a woman in a male-oriented sector, we have to fight and continuously prove our worth. I received one refusal after another from landscaping companies. Every year, I tried again, and was always knocked down by sexist remarks telling me I had chosen the wrong path. The chance to participate in this competition today is sweet revenge for the unfair gender discrimination that is still very much present in all industries. It is also a way to show that mixed-gender teams can do better together. But above-all, it is the greatest of all personal achievements. Self-confidence and determination are more important than anything else. I would like to take this opportunity to tell everyone who relates to my story and who is dealing with a difficult situation that you will be rewarded by your hard work and perseverance.”
