Le Regard Libre N\u00b0 20 - Jonas Follonier<\/p>\n
Right in the center of Neuch\u00e2tel, in one of the many beautiful buildings of this esteemed city, it's not a residential apartment, an open space or a massage salon that has just opened its doors, but a space fitted out by local young people anxious to create a cultural space. And not just any cultural space. Neither elitist nor alternative, Lokart's vocation is to serve as a venue for the creation and presentation of all forms of art. During the inauguration weekend on August 27 and 28, I had the opportunity to chat with one of the founding members of the artistic collective.<\/em><\/p>\n Le Regard Libre<\/em>Where did the idea of creating such a facility come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n Mehdi Berdai: The origins clearly lie in shared interests in culture, particularly in Neuch\u00e2tel. The nucleus was created around dance, with H\u00e9lo\u00efse Marcacci and myself. Other people soon showed an interest in our project: Virginia Eufemi and Thierry Fivaz, both passionate about theater, cinema and pictorial art; Lisa Mazenauer, interested in photography and the approach to the body; and Sacha Dubois, who later joined us and brought the theatrical dimension.<\/p>\n This room we're in seems to me to be a dream location for lovers of cultural evenings and debates (I'm one of them). What will it be used for?<\/strong><\/p>\n First of all, we're going to use it to give classes in areas where we have some experience. H\u00e9lo\u00efse will teach Oriental dance and tribal fusion, while I'll teach ballet. Body-building lessons will be offered by both of us. The room can also be used for discussion evenings, book openings and so on. Finally, the room has cinematographic potential, as it has a screen. Of course, the studio can also be used by other companies and associations.<\/p>\n What about the financial aspect?<\/strong><\/p>\n We are very grateful to the City of Neuch\u00e2tel, which has agreed to contribute to the first six months' rent. This financial contribution is renewable, with a view to possible collaboration with the City for its own cultural events. Of course, we'd be delighted to become financially independent: state support is an opportunity, but it's not the goal! As for the rest of the rent, we're able to pay it thanks to sublets from several people and organizations who come in, for example, to give classes at certain times of the week. We knew in May 2016 that we would have the premises. H\u00e9lo\u00efse and I carried out the renovation work. A lot of thought also had to go into it.<\/p>\n