A young contemporary painter has transformed an unusual chapel in the Jura Mountains of France into his temporary studio, breathing new life into both the sacred space and his artistic vision. Louis-Marie Akiki, known by his artist name Anima, has set up his workspace in the Chapel of Jouvencelles in Prémanon to complete his ambitious monumental project called 'Star of Magdala.'

The contemporary-style chapel, built in the late 1980s and typically closed for most of the year, now buzzes with creative energy. Large-format canvases rest on tripods while others are stacked against the walls, surrounded by pyramids of paint pots, collections of glass fragments, and the floating melodies of classical music. Father Vincent, the priest in charge, opened the chapel doors to the artist, demonstrating what Anima calls 'an open-mindedness that I rarely see.' The priest apparently saw an opportunity to bring new life to both the chapel and the community.

The artist's pseudonym 'Anima,' Latin for 'breath,' 'soul,' or 'life,' reflects his artistic approach as a living, immersive experience in constant movement. With long, disheveled black hair, paint-stained jeans, and the appearance of someone who lives in his studio, Louis-Marie has never been more deeply immersed in his creative process than with this current project.

The inspiration for exploring memory through art struck him during a trip to Venice, specifically on the island of Murano, famous for its glassmaking tradition. 'I was struck by this work with material, glass as a marriage of light and water,' he explains. This Venetian revelation clarified the project's form and made him realize that to explore memory, he needed to return to where he grew up.

As a Franco-Swiss artist born to a Lebanese father and a diplomat mother from Morez, Louis-Marie has lived in Burgundy, Bahrain, Ireland, and the United States. However, his roots run deepest between Versailles and the High Jura region, particularly Prémanon, where his grandparents live. Beyond his personal history, he views the Jura as a land of memory, embedded in its soil and inhabitants.

Local encounters have been crucial to making the artwork possible. Anima spent considerable time talking with René Masson, an elderly local resident, about his memories of the region. Remarkably, Masson had met the famous polar explorer Paul-Émile Victor and eventually gave the artist the keys to Victor's cabin in the forest. 'That's where I did my research work - for several months, day and night, in the snow,' the artist recalls.

After his forest research period, Anima was welcomed at the lodge in Ponard, Les Rousses, to continue his work before finally establishing himself at the chapel. All these encounters, plus the people who randomly pass through the chapel, form part of his creative process. The notion of passage is fundamental to his artistic philosophy.

The 'Star of Magdala' will be a monumental ensemble of five panels that play with space and, especially, materials. The abstract work incorporates fir resin, leftover candle wax, horsehair, glass, and salt applied to canvas. The project may even evolve into sculpture and incorporate water elements. 'I find that I feel art more and more through materials. Painting almost becomes a binder that serves to reveal,' admits the entirely self-taught artist.

The artist's hope is to captivate viewers by engaging their senses, moving them away from rationality to help them 'return to the essential, rediscover the memory of where we come from, who we are, and what really matters.' This ambitious goal drives the creation of his immersive, multi-sensory installation.

Now facing the challenge of finding a wall high enough to display the nearly completed ensemble, Louis-Marie remains optimistic. 'This is where it will be about involving people, once again, to find a place,' he says with a smile. His vision extends beyond a single location: 'Places, even. I would like the work to move around the region, but also in the country, and why not around the world.' The artist's confidence reflects his collaborative approach and the community support he has already experienced throughout this unique creative journey in the Jura Mountains.