Ville de Cognac and Martell & Co, with the support of Fondation d’entreprise Martell, are jointly launching a commission for an artwork in the public space. Through this unprecedented initiative, the city and Maison Martell continue their collaboration to promote the artistic development and to enhance the reputation of the City of Cognac.

The Approach

Made possible by an unprecedented public-private partnership, this commission will be an opportunity to look at the City of Cognac with a fresh perspective, with Place Edouard Martell recently redeveloped, acting as a gateway in several respects. The commission is part of the ongoing process of rehabilitating and expanding pedestrian spaces within the city.

By initiating this project, the municipality and the company aim to contribute to the influence of the contemporary art scene, enrich their territory and follow the long tradition of public commissions. This collaboration between the City of Cognac and Maison Martell with the support of the Group Pernod Ricard is guided by shared values of generosity, conviviality dialogue and creativity.

The aim of this commission is to create a visual, mural, or sculptural work of art, which will take place in three stages:

1. Application phase (summer 2023): candidates submit an application outlining their personal artistic approach and their motivation for the project, resulting in the pre-selection of three candidates by a steering committee composed of representatives of project’s sponsors, representatives of local residents, technical experts, government representatives and art professionals.
2. Sketch phase (autumn 2023): shortlisted candidates submit an artistic project designed specifically for the proposed site, resulting in the selection of the winner by the steering committee.
3. Production phase (winter 2023 – spring 2024): in situ production of the artistic project by the winning artist, with a variable duration depending on the project’s technical complexity and the weather conditions.

The Location

The artwork will be situated at the heart of Place Edouard Martell, at the intersection of two pedestrian streets. One of these streets is a shopping street leading to the city center, while the other runs alongside the Maison Martell headquarters, leading to the riverbanks and the port of the Charente. The artwork, positioned at the crossroads of these streets, at the site known as Porte Saint Martin, will serve as a marker for this newly pedestrianized area. Its location at the entrance of the city from the Bordeaux road will be a significant landmark for passing visitors. It will also be appreciated on a daily basis by the residents and users of the newly created square in that area.

The project stakeholders

Although Cognac boasts many cultural venues and events in relation to the size of its population, its public space bears little trace of this artistic side of the town. Its charm (numerous old private mansions), size (ideal for exploring on foot), and tranquility make it a perfect place for meeting, discussing, and pausing over a work of art – provided that it has been conceived, produced, and mediated in consultation with its users.

The art project on Place Edouard Martell is part of a long tradition of collaborations and patronage by Maison Martell, as well as a desire to promote culture and craftsmanship on a broader scale. Founded in 1715, Maison Martell has always embodied French Art de Vivre, reinventing it each day to blend heritage and modernity, excellence and curiosity, local roots and international influences. With a close connection to the world of creativity, Martell has always collaborated with architects, designers, artists, and artistic directors, regularly supporting ambitious artistic projects.

The inauguration of Fondation d’entreprise Martell in 2017 in the former factory on the Gâtebourse site in the heart of the Saint-Martin quarter, is a strong message from Maison Martell demonstrating its determination to deepen its local roots, an indicator of its history dating back three centuries. Convinced that art and design are fundamental catalysts for evolution within society, the Fondation is a research and experimentation platform for designers, artists and researchers, as well as a public space for raising awareness and learning – with a focus on living things. Its program of exhibitions, residencies, conferences, and workshops is intended to support, first and foremost, the emergence of innovative projects with a regenerative dimension.

Steering organization

The contracting authority, represented by Ville de Cognac, is in charge of managing the public art commission. Within the framework of its partnership with Martell & Co, the latter shall take part in the process to select the winning artist, notably by involving the team at Fondation d’entreprise Martell.

Each step of the process is collectively validated by the Steering Committee that they have set up, composed of 12 members:

• Ville de Cognac: 4 representatives including 2 elected officials and 2 from administrative departments
• Martell & Co: 2 representatives including 1 from the company and 1 from the Foundation
• Associations and/or local residents: 2 representatives
• Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles (DRAC): 2 representatives including 1 visual arts advisor and 1 architect from Bâtiments de France
• Qualified experts: 2 representatives