Art at the abbey and for art's sake.

Our recent visit to Fontevraud Abbey included checking out some of their art instillations placed in different locations throughout the buildings. The one above, was a video of a naked man digging a hole! If its purpose as a piece of art was to get you thinking then it worked for me - was he digging his own grave or just a healthy outdoor type?

The web affect above was one of a number set out in the tunnels of the crypt...if it was meant to evoke fear then it didn't work for me but adding my own moans and groans in the darkness inspired others, I'm sure - it is important to release the child in you sometimes! Did it therefore work as art?

The 'great dormitory' was filled by this large 'instillation' by Claude Leveque, interesting and calming but at what price?

Many of the chateaux of the Loire Valley are filling empty spaces with artwork to try and increase visitor numbers and turn what were cold rooms into more interesting (?) places.  Château d’Oiron has in fact given itself over to art and if you haven't visited it you should give it a try

Chateau de Chaumaunt-sur-Loire has gone a little further with changing what I thought was its most redeaming internal feature, its chapel, into a piece of artwork!

Here in Southern Touraine every year we have our own popular L'art & Lard' festival in Le Petit-Pressigny which brings us art in its many forms.

Lots of Art but little Lard...

A photo walk around the 'art' on display at yesterday' 'Art & Lard' festival in Le Petit Pressigny, in no particular order even though there were two helpful maps showing the numbered exhibitions - we are people who go around Ikea against the arrows.

Examples from the pottery in Chambon

One of the good things about the day is that art is exhibited in a variety of diverse locations around the village in barns caves and houses.The sign above was on display in one exhibition but we weren't sure if it was part of the artwork or belonged to the owners...but it was an odd sign anyway (had the bar been called 'The Edward II',could have made the connection)

Some paintings in a wood store

This could have been entitled 'absent art' as the artist had failed to show!

ET (?)...among others

These weren't part of the exhibition but have included them under the title 'art by the bucketload'

 Art in the 'lavoir'

Cute...

Really liked these...and the fact that the artist, Yves Galzin passes on his skills to children. 

Art was on display all over the place,everywhere you turned

The 'automaton man' from Betz le Chateau brought along his wind powered exhibition.

and the costume lady from Barrou brought along some examples.

 Always interesting...but still say they should have it during the tourist season as they would probably have more visitors and better weather!

Her art was pants!

A bit like the Betz le Chateau's 'banana party' the village of Le Petit-Pressigny's 'Fete d'automme' which goes under the heading of  'l'art et lard' had intrigued me. So off Pauline and I went yesterday to see what it was all about. It consists of a food market ( marche gourmond) and arts & crafts market (marche artisanal), with the art being displayed in the homes and gardens of the locals - which is a great idea for someone like me who can appreciate the houses as well !

The drizzly start to the morning meant a damp start to the festivities with the bouncy castle remaining deflated along with the atmosphere.

These types of Loire Valley events rely on fair weather conditions and the efforts of the village deserved better - hopefully it would improve as the day went on.

The most interesting (?) display Pauline and I found was by Coco Texedre - with her show of 'pants' (hence the title) in various forms of art media. 

We bought a lovely book of  paintings of the Canton de Loches by Nathalie Desperches-Boukhatem which is further enhanced by the inclusion of  portraits of a senior citizens of each of the towns and villages she features.

We are blessed here in the Loire Valley and France with the way these type of events are supported - long may they continue.


As ever you can click on the pics. to enlarge.

A walk around the 18th Art & Lard festival in La Petit-Pressigny.

It's alive and well at L'Art et Lard the annual autumn arts and local food festival held in the village of Le Petit-Pressigny in the Touraine.

You can visit today,the second day of the festival.

Work of street artist Mickael Busseau.(BuS)

Products and art were on display as usual in front of and in the church,

As well as houses and gardens of local residents.

Above paintings by Gina Bardin.

Above is my favourite piece of the day.