Ouessant
48° 27' 50''N, 5° 5' 32'' 0
At the western tip of the island of Ouessant, the Créac’h semaphore stands at the foot of an iconic lighthouse and the Lighthouse and Beacon Museum. Now owned by the Finistère Departmental Council, it has been “recommissioned” as an artists’ residency. Anchored to the rugged rocks of Ouessant, this site expands the horizons of artistic creation in every direction.
Artists are drawn to this insular space by the curiosity to explore a context where humans and the elements are in constant interaction. It is a space dedicated to stepping back and gaining perspective. As early as 1928, Jean Epstein discovered Ouessant and established his aesthetic and theoretical workshop there, which gave rise to the images in the film Finis terrae. The residencies organized by Finis Terrae – Island Art Center have taken root in this land, fostering reflection and creation within the field of contemporary art. The resident artists and theorists work in solitude for a month, coming from different regions or countries. Their presence fosters a variety of relational approaches, addressing issues related to the sea, the coastline, the landscape, insularity, and local culture.
