| The Living Monument of Biron | 40 answers | Interviews | About Jochen Gerz

Chronology 1989 Marc Mattera, Mayor of Biron, in the Dordogne, requests the sponsorship of the Visual Arts delegation of Bordeaux (DRAC) for a restoration project of the monument to the dead of his village. 1993 The Minister of Culture proposes that Jochen Gerz works on the project of replacing the monument to the dead of Biron. Gerz presents to the municipal council and the DRAC of Bordeaux his idea: the Living Monument of Biron. 1994 The Ministry of Culture grants a public state commission to Jochen Gerz to replace the Biron monument. 1995 Jochen Gerz is invited to teach at the Bordeaux Art College. He prepares with a group of students the interviews of all the inhabitants of Biron. 1996 In March, Gerz starts the realization of the sculpture. 134 local people were asked the same question, which remained a secret. In May, the answers printed on 134 enamel plates, are fixed on the monument which had been, in the meantime, restored to its original state. The answers were spread about parts of the obelisk, on the base and its foundation. July 13th,1996 The day of the annual celebration of the village, the Living Monument of Biron will be unveiled in the presence of Jean-François de Canchy, Visual Arts delegate for the French Ministry of Culture.

| The Living Monument of Biron | 40 answers | Interviews | About Jochen Gerz

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