Art Cevennes: Sculpture
Form & Filature
The first 'Printemps de la Sculpture en Pays de Cèze" represents a significant step forward for the areaís exhibition culture, and it aims to become an important annual fixture. Charles Cameron forms an opinion.
La Filature in St Ambroix was the perfect venue for the first Printemps de la Sculpture en Pays de Ceze. The exhibition featured works by thirteen sculptors, augmented by contributions from a handful of invited painters.
Most of the artists are based in the Ceze valley, and while many already have established reputations beyond the Cevennes, the expo’s objective was partly to draw the region’s attention to the range and quality of work being produced within its borders. The organisers were overwhelmed by the positive response, with visitor numbers far exceeding initial expectations.
Form & Filature
The first 'Printemps de la Sculpture en Pays de Cèze" represents a significant step forward for the areaís exhibition culture, and it aims to become an important annual fixture. Charles Cameron forms an opinion.
La Filature in St Ambroix was the perfect venue for the first Printemps de la Sculpture en Pays de Ceze. The exhibition featured works by thirteen sculptors, augmented by contributions from a handful of invited painters.
Most of the artists are based in the Ceze valley, and while many already have established reputations beyond the Cevennes, the expo’s objective was partly to draw the region’s attention to the range and quality of work being produced within its borders. The organisers were overwhelmed by the positive response, with visitor numbers far exceeding initial expectations.
When we spoke on the final day, Anne-Marie was
still excited: “It has been a wonderful week, with
so many people passing through. We had hoped we
could establish this as a regular event, and as we
have received official encouragement, we are
confident we can deliver something even better next
year.”
In part, credit for the expo’s success must go La Filature’s unique riverside setting. Some of the major pieces – particularly those by Michel Jean – were large enough to command attention even in the broad parkland between the river Ceze and the filature itself. Visitors were free to roam the grounds, as well as delve into the three, more intimate interior spaces beneath and around the main house.
In part, credit for the expo’s success must go La Filature’s unique riverside setting. Some of the major pieces – particularly those by Michel Jean – were large enough to command attention even in the broad parkland between the river Ceze and the filature itself. Visitors were free to roam the grounds, as well as delve into the three, more intimate interior spaces beneath and around the main house.
Gerard Menant with one of his bronze acrobatic
figures.
Emmanuel Arel who exhibited sculptures made using
the Raku technique.
Jean-Gilles Quenum with one of his olive-wood sculptures.
Exhibition organiser and sculptor Anne-Marie
Cassiers.
The range of materials and techniques on display
was impressive. From the bronzes of Gerard Menant
and Clauda, to the tactile olive-wood forms of
Jean-Gilles Quenum, or the stunning
charcoal-and-black Raku of Emmanuel Arel and the
fine, playful mobiles of Gaelle Pinard, it would
take a wilfull resistance not to have found
something to touch, to admire and to covet.
Not content with mounting a merely commercial exhibition, the organisers also asked several of the exhibitors to hold masterclasses, demonstrating their ideas and techniques to local schoolchildren. Students were invited to work with the different materials in their tutors’ repertoires, to understand the qualities and challenges involved in the manipulation of each. The team at the Filature hope that this, too, will become a regular feature of future exhibitions.
Not content with mounting a merely commercial exhibition, the organisers also asked several of the exhibitors to hold masterclasses, demonstrating their ideas and techniques to local schoolchildren. Students were invited to work with the different materials in their tutors’ repertoires, to understand the qualities and challenges involved in the manipulation of each. The team at the Filature hope that this, too, will become a regular feature of future exhibitions.
For details about this and future exhibitions,
contact Anne-Marie Cassier at:
La Filature
784, chemin du Ranquet
30500 St Ambroix
04 66 24 65 01
www.lafilature30.com
La Filature
784, chemin du Ranquet
30500 St Ambroix
04 66 24 65 01
www.lafilature30.com
