The Bocard site and the artists
The Bocard site may now be described as a romantic ruin. A very special, poetic and nostalgic, moving, atmosphere emanates from the ruins, undoubtedly the main reason for the public’s attachment to the site. Several artists have glorified the site in the past, in different artistic domains.
The most famous is certainly Jean-Pierre Chabrol, author and storyteller born in Chamborigaud but famous for his brilliant Parisian career. The first chapter of his trilogy Les Rebelles opens with a presentation of the “Mine au bois dormant (Sleeping mine)” in which he depicts it as “hidden in a green hole, at the foot of the Mount Lozere”, and “awfully pretty”. But the site also inspired lesser known writers, for instance Albin Bazalgette, author in 1987 of a short story entitled “Le Silence de la mine” for the local newspaper Du Trenze au Luech.
Besides literature, the aesthetic character of the place attracted photographers as early as the end of the 19th century, as can be seen from the postcards, cyanotypes and other photographs. The local painter Jacques Plan also found there his inspiration, and realized numerous representations of the factory both in its actual condition, or in its’ reconstructed state.
The cinema also captured the unique history of this industry through the eyes of the film-director Philippe Donadille and his documentary “La mine au bois d’argent”.
Several architects also found their inspiration in the Bocard site for some architectural projects: Agnès Joly, Josée Beeching and Frederic Fiore.
Finally, the ancient factory provides spectacular surroundings to performing arts. On several occasions, Le Filon des Anciens organized there storytelling readings, theatrical sessions, and, last but not least, a superb lighting on the occasion of the 2018 Fête de la Mine.
