Simon Paulais
Landscape architect
WE GOT THE WRONG TIME: FLORASSIC PARK/ FLORAL EXHIBITION 2014/ANGERS/ FR
Expo Flo is an event open to the public organised by all the students of the college every two years in Agrocampus Ouest in Angers. During three days, visitors can enjoy the classrooms, which are designed with ephemeral gardens and innovative horticultural concepts. Entertainment such as a student choir, a flourished parade and a fire show at night are also part of the event.
With two other classmates we especially work on a temporary garden of a classroom dedicated to the fossil plants.
"Imagine that you travelled 200 million years back in time to an era, where only dinosaurs has reigned supreme on Earth. The lush vegetation is made up of impenetrable jungles, where every singe plant fights its battle for survival to reach some light and beat off the competition of its neighbours.
Subsequently, we discover a vast prairie landscape, dominated by a volcano overhanging the jungle, which seems having imposed its own laws. Moving a little away, we will notice that the union of jungle and steppe has produced a pond, where shorelines plants and horsetail prosper. This place gathers life and even the most dreadful creatures come here to quench their thirst.
But the most appalling and probably the most stunning thing come from a silver creature, which stir up both marvel and anxiety. Its presence and its way to settle in front of the scenery disturb us and get us puzzled. Would have it got the wrong time ?"
"DANS L’AIR DU TEMPS"/ 2012-2013 College Garden/ ANGERS/ FR
In the first year of study at Agrocampus Ouest in Angers, we had the chance to work on designing a small garden from 25m2 in a team of five people. We work from the conception until the realisation, which we made ourselves.
"Prim’era Earth refers to the history and the evolution of our planet Earth. The cretaceous-tertiary period is featured accross the garden, a rich era for biodiversity. The garden highlights the two hypothetical causes of the massive extinction of abundant species. The legendary meteorite that was supposed to crash on Earth is represented by the volcanic rock in the garden. It just missed crashing down the Ginko tree, which today is a living fossil plant. A pathway with pozzolana further contributes to the ‘prehistoric’ effect symbolising lava.
A gradual transition can be noted between grasses and ferns. The other flowers with warm and vibrant colours such as the Hemerocallis, illustrate the progression of humanity and the square foot vegetable gardens embody the advent of agriculture.
This garden with its ecological design, shaped with basic materials reminds us of the past and encourages us to look towards the future. It is in the era of Time."