LES TABOURETS DU TERROIR
Traces du Terroir
‘Les Tabourets Du Terroir’ is the first exhibition within the ‘Traces du Terroir’ trail that explores what crafts are still alive and what natural resources are available in the ‘Pays d’Uzès’ with extension to the department of ‘ Le Gard’ and the region ‘Occitanie’. Mapping local makers and designers is an important part of this journey.
The region has a wealth of natural resources, materials and knowledge. Its mineral quarries, lavender growers, sheep and goat farms, olive and almond growers, and historical production of textiles and ceramics are all sources of inspiration for developing projects rooted in the local environment. Elements of local history, culture, environment, society and economy are brought together and expressed in various projects, each time with ‘Le Terroir’ as a starting point. The preservation and revival of local crafts in a contemporary context are central.
Les Tabourets Du Terroir
Usually, tabourets or stools are used to ‘add’ to sit somewhere as they are easy to move, sometimes because of their size, sometimes because of their weight. They are also often used for carrying out an activity (such as the milking stool). Since the last century, you see them popping up mostly among farmers and craftsmen. The origin of stools is unclear, but they are known as one of the earliest forms of furniture. The first stools date back to ancient Egypt (more than 3,000 BC) and ancient Greece (700 BC). The word tabouret comes from the Old French “tabour” or drum.
The history of the stool is also linked to that of women. From the 16th century, women often gathered in small groups to embroider and sew. And to make the small group more intimate, these women would sit on stools, which inevitably brought them closer together. Later, in the 17th century, under the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, the stool became a truly privileged seat. At the French court, in the castle of Versailles, sitting in the presence of the royal family was a privilege reserved for a select group of nobles. These were mainly high-ranking duchesses. They were summoned by a servant who offered them an upholstered stool (actually a placet) and allowed them to sit next to the queen. By extension, the word “tabouret” was even used to denote those chosen by the king to occupy the small seat.
For ‘Les Tabourets Du Terroir’, both local and international designers and makers were invited, with the intention of exchanging knowledge and ideas, and to promote the region’s richness internationally. They were asked to work with a natural material of the region that can be used directly as a raw material. Because a stool is usually lower than a chair, you are closer to the earth, this connection with nature, also through the use of the ‘earthy’ materials is a starting point for many. The concept of ‘tabouret’ is freely interpreted, there is room to experiment and give an artistic interpretation. The objects are handmade and are unique pieces.
The exhibition also pays homage to Moniek E. Bucquoye who stayed several times in Fons-sur-Lussan and also donated some of her personal ‘tabourets’ to FonsAndré. Sofie Lachaert and Luc D’Hanis reworked one of these stools as a tribute.
Moniek E. Bucquoye was a Belgian engineer, lecturer, author, consultant and curator. She is considered one of the leading experts on design in Belgium.
PARTICPANTS
Amandine David (BE)
Atelier Lachaert Dhanis (BE)
Bram Vanderbeke (BE)
Casimir (BE)
Clotilde Le Grand (FR)
Ferréol Babin (FR)
Filip Dujardin (BE)
Heim+Viladrich (FR)
hettler.tüllmann (DE)
Huub Ubbens (NL/FR) x Atelier Chatersèn (FR)
Huub Ubbens (NL/FR) x Ulto éditions (FR)
Isabelle Doblas-Coutaud (FR)
Jakob Hartel (FR)
Karolien De Schepper (BE)
Lieven Herreman (BE)
Marie Gueydon de Dives (FR)
Marie Mees (BE)
Nathalie Dewez (BE/FR)
Nathalie Strubbe (BE/FR)
Onbetaalbaar (BE)
Rikkert Paauw (NL/BE)
Stijn Vermeire (BE)
Studio Unfold (BE)
Theo De Meyer + Stefanie Everaert (BE)
Ulysse Bouët (FR) x Atelier Chatersèn (FR)
Vincent Fordel (BE/FR)
Concept: Siegrid Demyttenaere / DAMN° magazine
With the kind support of Fons Culture
Les Tabourets Du Terroir
Le Temple, Fons-sur-Lussan, France
