“Piou-Piou has been located!\” was the announcement by the Petit-Quevilly commune (Seine-Maritime) issued on Facebook. The post featured a photo of an orange resin bird and brought an end to a saga that had interwoven urban planning and contemporary art.
This saga started when a sculpture by the artist Gaëtan Olias was installed on Place Simone-Chauvin on February 7. The sculpture featured a character sitting on the ground, holding a brightly colored bird in his hand. This was the first attempt at a 3D model by the 27-year-old artist who resides in the south of France.
A few days after its inauguration, the bird, which is about the size of a balloon, disappeared, presumably stolen by one or more individuals. “We were very disappointed,” states Charlotte Goujon, the mayor of the town. She has been working with the Urban art agency for over three years to integrate contemporary art into the neighborhoods.
The artist, Gaëtan Olias, had thought that Piou-Piou was gone forever. He understands that public art can sometimes be damaged but always hopes that his work will be embraced by the community. He believes that these artworks gradually become a sort of landmark for the residents.
Following the disappearance of Piou-Piou, the City issued an online “Kidnapping Alert”. The response was heartening as local residents expressed their feelings and some even placed small bears in the character’s hands with a note asking for the bird’s return.
Thanks to social media, a resident found the resin bird on the ground near her home and returned it to the city. Mayor Charlotte Goujon and sculptor Gaëtan Olias are hopeful that this incident will help protect the statue in the future. Now, the city plans to repair the statue and ensure its stability to prevent Piou-Piou from disappearing again.
