Reserve (for all luggage)

In 2004, the City of Mulhouse placed an order with Anne-Marie Schoen for the New Basin. The work Réserve presents a bright red metal cage, half planted in the ground in the middle of the grass. It is as if we wanted to build up a reserve of our various baggage here, whether literally (real object) or figuratively (memory, remembrance, etc.). In the end, another reading seems possible. This red cube is a strong sign, of danger perhaps, which seeks to delimit, protect, a zone. Indeed, if we approach the work, we see that the part of the earth underneath this cage is no longer accessible and that vegetation, ivy, grows there without human control. Here we find a link with the title of the work. This small piece of land would be reserved. However, one quickly understands the irony and paradox of this idea since, in the end, although man can no longer access or have an impact on this piece of land, the delimited cage is like a prison for this vegetation that is free without being free. The idea of the title «Reserve» can therefore also refer to ecological concerns.