The artistic creations of the Le Phun company (which stands for Pour un Humour Universellement Nécessaire – For universally necessary humour), led by Philippe Chabry aka. Phéraille, have been taking over collective and urban space for thirty years, with particular emphasis on the place of nature and transformation through imagination. Based directly on the Palissades project (2016), which installed an urban planning firm in public space, La Cité-Tube explores the future of the city around an art installation with strong political connotations. Using empty cans, colour prints and photos, the company will create an evolving imaginary model inspired by the features of today’s city.
Contemporary questions about the future of our cities, including future population densities, community, necessary ecological transition, etc., are at the heart of this mediation work in the form of a miniature city. The Toulouse-based company explores with us the question, “What will Rennes look like in 2050?” drawing inspiration from architect Emmanuelle Bouphar (“To live well together, you have to (and all you need to) do is round out the edges”).
La Cité-Tube uses this three-dimensional tubular and plant-covered version of Babel, created from recycled waste, to raise questions and change our perspective. The wonderful model is a dramatized work of art, an in situ visual arts creation, an evolutionary and out-of-step urban reflection that simply and successfully makes the city more beautiful.
BIOGRAPHY
In 1984, actor, musician, graphic artist and inventor for the Royal de Luxe company, Philippe Chabry aka. Phéraille, founded the Phun company (which stands for Pour un Humour Universellement Nécessaire, For universally necessary humour) in Toulouse. Also the co-founder of l’Usine à Tournefeuille (Haute Garonne), he is committed to creating theatre that is present and living, popular and demanding, that caters to both urban and rural settings, indoors and outdoors. In this wide field of community culture infused with poetry, imagination and a relationship with nature, the vegetable garden installation and actor/gardeners of La Vengeance des Semis have been touring the performance to cities across the world since 1986 (Potsdam, Paris, Berlin, Antwerp, Hué, Aurillac, Chalon-sur-Saône, Argenteuil, etc.). Work exploring people and plants, and generally modern day-to-day human problems continued with plays/installations like Les Gûmes, Les Pheuillus, (since 2009), Bagnolage, L’adieu au Bon Liébaut, La balade des jardins, Le train phantôme, Les Boutiques Phantômes, Les Cent Dessous, Les jardins flottants, Les trous de mémoire, Père Courage, TURA, Near Life Experience, etc. Each of these shows were created as a depiction where fiction meets the reality of the city and the life of its inhabitants. In specifically examining the urban future via the imaginary Bouphar urban planning firm, the Palissades show (2016) laid the groundwork for the evolving tubular model of La Cité-Tube, a new theatrical and artistic adventure that will be created in situ in Rennes for the Dedans/Dehors weekend.
