The artist Aurèle and his LostDog

At the initiative of co-founder Anne-Caroline Frey, the estate is conceived as an open-air gallery where contemporary art in the forest finds a singular stage. A way to add a touch of soul and meaning, for connoisseur and newcomer alike.

The Giant Lost Dog, Aurèle’s signature

It is hard to miss the monumental sculpture of a four-metre-high dog at the entrance. This bull terrier, named Giant Lost Dog, is the trademark of French artist Aurèle Ricard, known as Aurèle. A post-industrial visual artist born in the 1960s, the self-taught Aurèle rose to prominence in the 1980s. A trip to New York led him to meet Andy Warhol and to find inspiration by chancing upon a ‘lost dog’ notice for Bob, pinned up in the city’s streets.

A totem that questions our era

This trivial event, the artist turned into a founding act. The animal becomes a totem, a metaphor for a lost generation evolving in a society in full mutation. LostDog denounces contemporary ills: despair, the loss of bearings, loneliness. His sculptures stand like watchmen urging us to open our eyes and face our responsibilities.

Note that Aurèle also signs two Arty+ suite-lodges with carte blanche: Lost Lodge and Yellow Shelter, to experience contemporary art in the forest right into your room.