LES HERBES FOLLES DU VIEUX LOGIS
DOMAINE DE CHAUMONT-SUR-LOIRE . FRANCE
2021
Curator : Chantal Colleu-Dumond
The 2021 Art Season is once again on the theme of nature, and the work of around fifteen new artists, including some original creations, as in previous years, interact with the landscape and architecture of the Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire.
First and foremost, two fantastic artists, Miquel Barceló and Paul Rebeyrolle are celebrated this time. These artists both have a great energy and enjoy working with raw materials, playing with the thickness of objects and the textures of the tangible and of nature. With the power of tormented despair, they express their deepest feelings of the pain and joy of being, of living. Miquel Barceló designs an original artwork in terracotta and ceramic for a grove in the Historic Grounds, while the Château will house around thirty beautiful landscape representations by Paul Rebeyrolle. Abdul Rahman Katanani uses his own experiences of violence and suffering to present some surprising barbed wire nests in the trees throughout the Grounds.
As a stark contrast, Chiharu Shiota’s delicate dark and web-like fibres will take over the Lower Le Fenil Gallery, much like vibrant nerve cells, while the Donkey Stables house Carole Solvay’s subtle creations using wire and feathers. The colourful delicacy of Sheila Hicks’ work is displayed in the Château’s Grand spiral staircase, while Safia Hijos’ poetic creepers made from ceramic climbs the walls of the Stables.
For the very first time, drawings are exhibited at Chaumont-sur-Loire, in the Agnès Varda Courtyard Galleries, featuring the dreamlike and philosophical works of Fabien Mérelle, and the poetic worlds of François Réau and Min Jung-Yeon. A collection of prints by Jean Dubuffet takes pride of place in the Château’s Porcupine Gallery, with the extraordinary series entitled Les Phénomènes.
The adventure continues with Pascal Convert, who adds to his glass library and roots, unveiled in 2020, with an incredible crystallised child’s bedroom, while Chris Drury, who has already created a very beautiful Carbon pool for the Domain, brings a brand-new original piece to the Bee Barn. Last but not least, a never-before-seen outdoor creation from Joël Andrianomearisoa interacts with the plant world of Agnès Varda Courtyard.
These new creations, when combined with the artworks already on display, provide visitors to the Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire with a wonderfully poetic and revitalising experience.
Chantal Colleu-Dumond