20 Years Sculpture Network – 14 Years Sculpture Park Ile Art

As part of the events celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sculpture Network, there could hardly have been a more fitting Dialogue than the gathering of art enthusiasts and artists on 7 June 2025 in the expansive Ile Art Sculpture Park in Malans, France.

Dorothea Malär, the park’s co-founder, and artists Karl Chilcott and Denis Pérez led a group of enthusiastic participants, some of whom had travelled far to take part in the event, through the park, which boats expansive green spaces. Winding trails meander on both sides of the main park alleys, where visitors can see more than 40 works by various artists who agreed to take part in this gesamtkunstwerk.

Following an inspirational art tour of  Spain, Andrea and Dorothea Malär purchased Château Sainte Marie and its extensive grounds. They gradually brought the park to life by initially exhibiting Andrea Malär’s large sculptures. Since 2011 numerous artists have been invited to create works on site, with each artist selecting their own location. As Karl Chilcott described the process: “First, you enter into a dialogue with the selected location, and then you start creating the work itself.”

Andrea and Dorothea Malär had already met many of the artists, who were mostly members of Sculpture Network, in 2011 at the X. International Forum of Sculpture Network at the Gugggenheim Museum in Bilbao. In 2013, the artworks were officially presented to the public as part of a joint campaign and festive celebration.

The sculpture park, which is open to the public, gained trans-regional recognition so quickly that the local municipality designated an additional area for its expansion. A Pesmes-based association is responsible for the complex maintenance of the park. Dorothea Malär, Arlette Maréchal and Denis Pérez are members of the board alongside Andrea Malär and support it with great affection and perseverance. This can clearly be seen, felt and appreciated.

Sculpture Network was pleased to accept Dorothea Malär’s invitation to this special event and encouraged interested participants to attend via the network’s extensive media presence. Dorothea warmly welcomed the group to one of the château’s rooms. After the introductions, she talked about the history and origins of the park, as well as the process of selecting the artworks. Then she handed out umbrellas and led the group into the tranquillity of the park. The gradually slowing rain seemed to intensify the atmosphere, creating a magical setting for an unperturbed stroll.

After two hours of quiet walks and contemplation of the artworks, there was a surprise performance just before refreshments were served. Aglaya Zinchenko, a Russian pianist who was part on the tour played the grand piano in a room on the second floor of the château facing the park and Andrea Malär’s sculptures. Having spent some years in Munich, Aglaya now lives in Besançon. The beautiful music was accompanied by some explanatory words. What an enchanting end to the first half of the afternoon!

At 3.30 pm, Denis Pérez welcomed the visitors to his studio in nearby Pesmes, where they viewed a fascinating selection of his artwork. This sparked intense discussions and reflections on the artist’s creative approach, as well as comparisons with the motivations and spiritual roots of the also-present artist Karl Chilcott. Chilkott’s connection with nature is particularly evident in his stone installations Bibliotheca Lapidea, Stone Flow I and Stone Flow II. Over the past three days, Chilcott and his assistants, Stefan and Frank, had spent many hours clearing the artworks of encroaching vegetation. Now, sunlight can shine through the leafy forest and illuminate the artworks once again.

After visiting the studio, the group took a short stroll around Pesmes’ market square. At 6.00 pm, Arlette Maréchal, chairperson of the local art association, officially opened the sculpture trail V‘ile Art Parcours  de sculptures in front of the town hall building. The trail had been completed on that very day, attracting the attention of many local people who attended the opening ceremony. The local press announced our group’s visit in its daily issue as follows: „Un groupe du Réseau International Sculpture Network sera présent lors du vernissage ce même samedi, après avoir visité Ile art Malans et l'atelier de Denis Pérez“. (eng. A group from the International organisation Sculpture Network will be present at the opening on Saturday, after visiting Ile art Malans and Denis Pérez’ studio.”) Nine different pieces of art were exhibited along the sculpture trail in the old town of Pesmes. Four local artists accompanied the group on a stroll, providing fascinating insights into their work.

The action-packed day came to a close with a joint dinner, which gave participants the opportunity to share views, experiences and perspectives, and express their enthusiasm for the sculptures they had seen that day.

As we thank Dorothea Malär, Arlette Maréchal and Denis Pérez for their hospitality, we acknowledge the importance of our shared journey from the X. International Forum in Bilbao in 2011 to the present day. This motivates the Sculpture Network team to organise and facilitate more events of this kind across Europe, including dialogues, art tours and international forums.

Photos in text: Helmut Pütz
Photo in the gallery: Jean-Luc Gantner