LANDSCAPE FOR FIRE 
ACROSS TRAGEDY, MYTHOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY

A research-based project in between design, ecology and landscape. On vineyards harvest and architecture against spring frosts.In 2021, a brutal cold “snap” at the beginning of spring destroyed much of the French wine harvest. Since then, French winegrowers in the Bordeaux region light candles to protect vines from spring frosts, in late March or April. This new devastating weather condition is due to the current stage of climate change (World Weather Attribution). At the time, French Agriculture Minister said the frost and resulting damage was “probably the greatest agricultural catastrophe of the beginning of the 21st century. The photos of winegrowers dashing to light a multitude of flames to protect vineyards or fruit trees resemble mythical images of ancient heroes discovering fire. Seen from afar, these fields look like the beginning of a wildfire: this manmade inferno represents another relationship through fire with the agricultural landscape, one of protection and care. Within a short period of time - with a common concern in saving the crops from the now yearly frost - a large number of heaters have spread on the market, from the low-tech paraffin wax candles in pots to more hi-tech ones run on gas or oil. This new micro architecture could be addressed as a possible new traditional typology in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region. The serial repetition of this device performs a temporary landscape on fire. On the evening of the 21st of March 2024, the day after the spring solstice, a fire has been lit to warm the cherry trees of the Domaine de Boisbuchet (in Lessac, Nouvelle Aquitaine, France). A firebox called Efesto performed for a few hours, heating the space around till somewhat after dawn. People gathered around the big lantern to stay together, have a chat or drink, talk about weather; to celebrate this fragile landscape.
Efesto is a big firebox. It’s a lantern in the landscape. It’s a steel volcano built to protect vineyards and fruit trees. A hybrid micro architecture, between a furnace, an open-air fireplace and a bonfire structure. A primitive heater stages the possibility of a warmer space, for vineyards and people around it. Resembling baroque lanterns and religious festive machines Efesto celebrates the ancient relationship between weather and farmers.

Efesto transposes the name of the Greek deity Hephaestus, or Volcano for the Romans. God of fire, forges, engineering, sculpture and metallurgy; and destruction, according to the latter. At the same time, it sounds like the word “festa” or “feast”, referring to the celebrative nature of agricultural rituals (72*72*120cm 2mm mild steel firebox with 4 ø16mm steel pipes to ground it, self-built).

WARM ROOMS

On show at the Château de Domaine de Boisbuchet (25.03.2024)