La Crue

A curious village stands at the water's edge in the Bassin Louise. Only a bell tower and the visible roofs of houses, almost entirely submerged, hint at the presence of a church and two dwellings. The unknown origin of this underwater hamlet is puzzling: was it flooded by rising waters, or perhaps built long ago in the shallows by people inclined toward an aquatic life?

Despite the fact that the structures are intact, showing no signs of damage or decay, certain signs of life animate the scene, suggesting it remains inhabited by an enigmatic presence. A wisp of smoke rises from a chimney, a light flickers from a window, the soft chime of the bell tower rings out periodically, and the plants in the floating vegetable garden continue to grow. The flood by Théâtre Rude Ingénierie paints a serene picture of time standing still, a life of tranquility cradled by the tides. This work incorporates part of the following pre-existing work: Le Clocher de la Providence, a creation-production by ATSA for Fin Novembre 2011.