Alain Godon gifts his « Birdie »
- Dated: July 2014
- Media: Les Echos
Alain Godon gifts his « Birdie »
B“irdie” in golfing terms refers to a player successfully taking less strokes to complete a hole under par. By extension, and in a symbolic sense, this is indeed a hugely successful stroke. Back in 1925 Le Touquet adopted the Caddy [caddie] (an anglicisation of the French word « cadet »), the person who carries the player’s bag but who rapidly becomes advisor and staunch rock to the competitor (thus implying a significant and strategic know-how in for example judging distance, choice of club, weather conditions…).
Excepting the world of golf, this figure has been somewhat neglected, but not by Alain Godon. He has called the statue Birdie, a small, but proud, man holding out, bird perched on his forearm and golf bag over his shoulder, the flag showing the hole, the goal! This original work, which he donated to the town after an official inauguration on 5 July 2014 in front of a huge crowd of people numbering not only Mr Daniel Fasquelle, Deputy and Mayor of the town, Philippe Fait, Mayor of Etaples (who, through friendship and admiration of the artist, crossed over the pink bridge linking the towns), as well as many elected representatives and local personalities, has now been given a definitive place in the town. It can now be found at the entrance to the Palais des Congrès and, with its attitude and refined sartorial elegance, it reflects not only the resort’s stylish, although of its time, character but also its new cultural values that the resort is striving to promote. « Godon represents Peter Pan’s battle; those who reject the cynicism in the world and who look to Prévert as a standard bearer: “we should strive to be happy, if only to lead by example”. The artist has developed this childlike art style, a vibrant enchantment of cityscapes in the naïf form. Immersed in street art and imbued with artistic acuity, he sees, filters and tweaks countless details – trees, buildings, birds, vehicles, pavements, or street lights – and, using his technique, our environment is recreated as though in a waking dream.” His paintings and sculptures are wholly original and now, Touquettois by adoption, he is giving back, one hundredfold over, what the town has given him. During the speeches and before raising glasses to commemorate the event, he humbly declared, “it is not Le Touquet which needs me, but it is I who need Le Touquet. The conviviality of the people in the Nord blows me away! This town has become a real centre for culture and it must continue. I want to shine the spotlight on a town which does not need me”. It should be pointed out that this shining light is precious to the town, because Godon has become a serious artist, recognised around the world. What an ambassador and what generosity (as a souvenir, he offered a superb poster depicting the statue to those attending the event)!