Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Le Rêve de l'Oiseau is an architectural and artistic project initiated in 1968 by Niki de Saint Phalle, at the request of Rainier de Hesse-Cassel, owner of land in the Var forest of Le Plan-de-la-Tour. The latter, having already collaborated with the artist for the decorations of his play Lysistrata in Cassel, entrusts him with the creation of a set of living sculptures. The work is partly inspired by Hon/Elle, a monumental installation created by Saint Phalle in 1966 in Stockholm, marking his transition to an architectural scale.

The ensemble consists of three functional sculptures: Big Clarice (7 meters high), a women's torso structure housing two bedrooms and a bathroom whose bath is shaped like a Nana; The Bird Dream itself, including a kitchen and a stay under a cubic volume dominated by a bird; and La Witch, containing the floor toilets covered with glass paste mosaics. Two complementary sculptures, a woman-fontain and a bed of snakes, as well as landscape arrangements (slippers, terraces) made by Rainier von Hessen from 1976, complete the site.

Designed between 1968 and 1971 with the help of the local masons, Jean Tinguely and Rainier von Hessen, the Bird Dream becomes a summer resort for Niki de Saint Phalle and his relatives. Although little publicized during its creation, the ensemble is now classified as a Historical Monument (decree of 16 April 2008) thanks to the action of the Association of Friends of the Bird Dream and the Sybille couple and Jean-Marc Heftler-Louiche, who worked for its rehabilitation.

The site illustrates the transition of Niki de Saint Phalle to living architectural projects, forerunners of his Jardin des Tarots (1979–1996). The materials used — wood, polyester, plaster, mosaics — and integration into nature reflect its hybrid approach between art, architecture and functionality. The official protection covers both the sculptures and the soil of the plots (classification in 2008 and partial registration in 2007).

External links