Refuge d'art: Vieil Esclangon, Land art installation in La Javie, France.
Refuge d'art Vieil Esclangon is a land art installation featuring red clay patterns in a restored rural building in the Haute-Provence Alps. Sinuous lines and clay marks cover the interior walls and continue along the external mountain paths.
British artist Andy Goldsworthy created this installation in 2005 from an abandoned building as part of a conservation initiative for Geopark Haute-Provence. The transformation turned a derelict structure into a focal point for contemporary art exploration.
The installation merges contemporary art with mountain hiking as one of seven artistic shelters across the French Alps. Visitors experience how the red clay work connects the building to its wild surroundings.
To visit the artwork, first obtain a key from Musée Gassendi, then hike about 45 minutes to reach the building through mountain terrain. The journey requires sturdy footwear and favorable weather conditions.
The artwork extends from interior walls to outdoor pathways, making visitor footprints become part of the artistic experience. Hikers leave traces on the red clay, causing the piece to evolve with each visit.
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