In Geneva, an activist gardener and a philosopher transform the PAV into a poetic space

At Geneva's Théâtre du Loup, an innovative artistic project titled "Métamorphose – Chapitre 1: P. et B." is transforming the urban landscape of the Praille-Acacias-Vernets (PAV) area. This ambitious initiative, conceived by La Filiale Fantôme and the CCC collective, invites audiences to reimagine the PAV, a vast 25-year urban development project often associated with overdensity rather than spaces for contemplation.

The project features two distinct artistic interventions. Barbara Baker, described as an "exalted gardener," launches a "green apocalypse" on the PAV, engaging with its natural and built environment. Complementing her, Pierre Mifsud acts as a "passe-muraille" (a metaphorical wall-passer), blending into the city to better understand and tame it. Their actions encourage a poetic reappropriation of this colossal construction site.

"Métamorphose" seeks to re-enchant the PAV, challenging its perception as merely a site of intense development. By following these activists until June 13, regardless of the weather, the public is encouraged to connect with and reclaim the space. The project positions the city itself as an offering, a canvas for artistic engagement and a space for dreams.

The Théâtre du Loup, situated amidst graffitied facades and untamed nature, provides a fitting backdrop for this exploration. The project highlights the contrast between the raw urban environment and the artistic interventions designed to infuse it with poetry and new meaning. It is an invitation to see the city not just as a functional entity, but as a space rich with potential for wonder and artistic expression.