Florence Cestac: Le Jardin extraordinaire
Many comics fans feel that theirs is an unofficial art, something they have discovered for themselves outside the libraries and galleries. And however much we want comics to be accorded the respect they deserve, there is some pleasure in this state of affairs.
Angoulême's programme of murals clearly has municipal backing at the highest level; yet it has been implemented in such a way that visitors, exploring the city's streets, can stumble on an unexpected image and feel this same sense of discovering a treasure for themselves.
So the logic that places Florence Cestac's Jardin extraordinaire first in this perambulation is simply that it was the first mural we saw, as we triumphantly found a parking space in the quiet streets near the station, and emerged from our car ready to engage with the Festival.
