Frontignan, France – A controversial former mayor is at the center of a debate about art and civic duty in the Occitanie region. Jean-Louis Commeinhes,recently convicted of misusing public funds,is being publicly lauded by an artist involved in a regional art project Commeinhes championed,even as his legal repercussions continue to unfold. The project, “BAM” – a series of artistic installations along the Mediterranean coast – has become a point of contention, highlighting the complex relationship between public officials, artistic endeavors, and accountability.
Some artists have a knack for voicing what others hesitate to express. Take Hervé Di Rosa, for example, who spoke at the unveiling of his ceramic-enameled Table de désorientation – a map of the Thau lagoon rendered in a style that would challenge any cartographer – installed on a dock in a former industrial district of Frontignan, directly across from a brand-new cinema complex.
In a surprising move, the artist publicly praised François Commeinhes, the former mayor (center-right) of Sète and ex-president of Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée, an association of 14 communes surrounding the Thau lagoon. Commeinhes resigned from his positions in 2025 after a court of appeal in Montpellier – a decision upheld by the Court of Cassation – found him guilty of misappropriating public funds following decisions to increase the salaries of certain staff members.
“I would like to pay tribute to him, because he had the courage to bring together the other mayors of the area, despite their political differences, around a contemporary art project,” the painter emphasized. “It’s a collection of small cities coming together to champion a certain idea of art in public spaces.”
The project, dubbed “BAM” – short for “balades artistiques en Méditerranée” (artistic walks in the Mediterranean) – is a series of artworks created with support from the regional directorate of cultural affairs of Occitanie. The complete route, depending on the visitor’s chosen mode of transport, can take several days, much to the delight of the local tourism office, which has launched a smartphone app, and the area’s restaurants and hotels. The artist’s public support for Commeinhes, despite his legal troubles, underscores the power of art to transcend political divides.
Commeinhes’ resignation could have jeopardized the project. However, his successor as president of the agglomeration, Loïc Linares – a socialist from Frontignan with differing political views – has continued the initiative, recognizing its value in showcasing the diverse community.
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