Urbanautica

GEOFFROY MATHIEU. A BAD REPUTATION

by Steve Bisson

«Summarized here is perhaps the writing of a Western counter-history, which no longer tells of a struggle between human beings and nature, of a perennial challenge to the limits of environmental exploitation. No, an Aristotelian philosophical tradition resonates here, which reopens to a perspective of harmony between the moral and natural order in an empathic vision of the landscape.»

© Book 'La mauvaise réputation' by Geoffroy Mathieu, Zoèmé èditions, 2020

That of the Aygalades stream, a river whose basin flows into the Marseille coast, is the umpteenth story of submitting the natural course of water to urban development needs. Such as the port's growth, one of the largest in the Mediterranean basin, and the transformation of the city's northern area. Is this just another story of a "disappeared" river, englobed under the asphalt of the roads or forced into concrete canals? Yet another report of polluted, stinking, and rotting waters?

© Geoffroy Mathieu from the series 'La mauvaise réputation du ruisseau des Aygalades'

© Book 'La mauvaise réputation' by Geoffroy Mathieu, Zoèmé èditions, 2020

Fortunately, this bitter result of greedy city management is just the set for a case of urban rehabilitation. As in a fairytale, it all begins with a strange passage through an underground tunnel that leads to a marvelous waterfall, strong and copious, which awakens something wild. It encourages the inhabitants, local associations, and artists to embrace the regeneration of this river, envisage an ecological restoration of the basin and the quality of its waters, and scout a new balance between human activities and the environment, to remove a bad reputation.

© Geoffroy Mathieu from the series 'La mauvaise réputation du ruisseau des Aygalades'

© Book 'La mauvaise réputation' by Geoffroy Mathieu, Zoèmé èditions, 2020

Geoffroy Matthieu's work and book La mauvaise réputation (Zoèmé èditions, 2020) appears as the supporting documentation to this narrative. His images help us approach the river's course that creeps into the city, between canals, the dirt of all kinds, pipes, offended and forgotten natures. But it also testifies to a strong collective will to re-appropriate the destiny of these waters. We see hands that work to collect waste, groups that go up towards the source as explorers, floral views, and sudden bucolic visions. And a hidden nature that reveals a great potential.

© Book 'La mauvaise réputation' by Geoffroy Mathieu, Zoèmé èditions, 2020

© Geoffroy Mathieu from the series 'La mauvaise réputation du ruisseau des Aygalades'

He shows us a perspective of peaceful coexistence and calls us back to a sense of collective responsibility. It seems to indicate a future. It's a future that has the appearance of a waterfall, of a triumph of natural colors reflected in clear ponds.

© Book 'La mauvaise réputation' by Geoffroy Mathieu, Zoèmé èditions, 2020

Summarized here is perhaps the writing of a Western counter-history, which no longer tells of a struggle between human beings and nature, of a perennial challenge to the limits of environmental exploitation. No, an Aristotelian philosophical tradition resonates here, which reopens to a perspective of harmony between the moral and natural order in an empathic vision of the landscape.

LINKS
Geoffroy Mathieu (personal website)
Book La mauvaise réputation' by Geoffroy Mathieu, Zoèmé èditions, 2020

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