The news has spread like wildfire among the artists who still go to the construction site of Pointe-à-Pitre’s Centre des Arts et de la Culture. All of them are asked to “pack their bags” by the Cap Excellence urban community next April. The reason: after 17 years of closure, the long-awaited rehabilitation and modernization work of the CAC will finally begin.
Some occupants of the place are relieved by this “good” news and have agreed to leave, because they are finally getting the resumption of work. Others are frankly unhappy, because although they are resisting, they are living in this building “free of charge”. Leaving means finding a housing to live that has to be paid for…
It must be said that over the days, months and years of occupation, the Centre des arts et de la culture has had several lives. Kariculture warned about the future of this cultural space in September 2018, and suddenly artists, politicians, media, cultural representatives and others – who used to pass this imposing building in the heart of Pointe-à-Pitre every day – remembered it…
In 2021, a new nationalist political party decided to occupy the building and organize resistance. Many artists went to the site as if on a pilgrimage, and works were made on the walls by painters and visual artists. Exhibitions-sales of paintings, handicrafts, shows, “bik a pawòl”, art classes, local food stands and other products made in Guadeloupe were born. Visitors made financial contributions, however small, and companies also provided material aid, etc. They can thank heaven that so far no one has been hurt in this maze without water or electricity…
Everything seemed to be going perfectly, all was well in the best of worlds. Unfortunately, dissensions have emerged among the artists. Some accused the “leaders of the resistance movement” of having obtained “a bone to suck” (in other words, to make money), of having considered them as “subordinates”, “pawns” and insults are numerous… Profesional artists acuse non-profesional artists of wanting to impose their views…
Today, the beautiful unity between artists no longer exists. Only the “wall” works symbolize this moment of communion, and it is planned that they will be photographed and visible online in the new rehabilitation project…
