La Fée des Bois rediscovered
The experience of an out of the ordinary reweaving
AUBUSSON TAPESTRY WORKSHOP AT FELLETIN
IN SITU WORKSHOP
Catherine Bernet, a ‘basse-lisse’ tapestry weaver has set up her workshop at her own house in Felletin. Thus, she revives the tradition in Creuse where each family used to house a loom, which built up economic and social links in that area.
This traditional French scene has influenced her installation. Then Catherine has felt the current need to open up to the world and it has led her to create an independent workshop where she can undertake large-scale tapestries with other weavers who have joined her.
KNOW-HOW TO BE PRESERVED
The work is done in accordance with the ancestral know-how which has been on Unesco’s World Intangible Heritage List since 2009. At Felletin as well as in Aubusson, the ‘basse-lisse’ traditional weaving consists in fastening the work horizontally thanks to the warp of cotton which is stretched out between the two warp beams of the loom.
In the workshop, the knowledge is passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth ; hence the gestures are perpetuated day after day and enhance the sumptuousness of this craftsmanship.
Since the Worshop has become a member of the LAINAMAC Defense and Management Organization and has been certified by the Certipaq certifying body, it is authorized to manufacture Aubusson carpets and tapestries in compliance with precise specifications, available at the following addresses: https://base-indications-geographiques.inpi.fr/fr/document/181 and https://base-indications-geographiques.inpi.fr/fr/document/178
WEAVERS, CARTOONIST AND COLORIST : A TEAMWORK
BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY
A WORKSHOP IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF TAPESTRY
The history of tapestry is almost as old as humanity ! However, in Aubusson and in Felletin, the first references to arts and crafts date back to the XVth century after the reconversion of the local clothing industry, bringing along the textile know-how, skilled workforce and already well-established clientele.
A REALLY FORWARD-LOOKING WORKSHOP
At the beginning of the XXIth century, the tapestry is renewed by working with contemporary creation as it has already done.
But, today, it creates new bridges with hitherto unexplored disciplines. As a matter of fact, tapestry represents a rich artistic medium both for architecture with the possibility to create nomadic monumental works and for design, fine arts, fashion or luxury items.
Thanks to the past experience, Bernet Workshop builds up with a fresh eye on the centuries-old know-how and falls for the creation of contemporary tapestries.
Some of them are, for example, halfway between wall hanging and a short pile carpet presented as a real installation in three-dimensional space.
A great deal can be learnt there since the wrong side of the weaving can be admired.
THE GENESIS OF A TAPESTRY
A COLLECTIVE WORK
Tapestry work is an art of major importance just like painting or sculpture. Being a collective expression, it involves spinning mills, dyers, weavers and the project leaders who entrust us with their models (painters, designers, visuals artists, architects, interior decorators, etc…).
Beyond achieving a tapestry, the Workshop endeavours to work closely with all the actors in the sector. It is convinced that tapestry making can only proceed from a long gestation process that involves a whole human chain of skills.
DAILY REQUIREMENT
Just immerge yourself in the heart of the Workshop to measure the daily requirement at all stages of tapestry making.
Some stages appeal to creativity and imagination whereas other ones require know-how, technical wizardry and handy skilfulness.
AN OUTSTANDING WORKSHOP
A PERSONALIZED APPROACH
Today, tapestry is revisited by many artists and it is our duty to support them with a personalized approach in order to come up to their expectations and appropriately meet their needs by suggesting what will be best suited to their project since tapestry making offers many possibilities.
Indeed, the approach is different depending on whether one works from a painting, a drawing, a photography, a digital picture, a sculpture or even from an architectural creation which, at first sight, could seem remote from weaving.
The tapestries will also have to be adapted to varied uses and to the most unexpected destinations.
CREATION OF UNIQUE WORKSHOP
In the human-scale Workshop, for each weaving project is given particular attention. The four-handed woven works imply trust between the artist who leaves his work to the weavers’ care and the client whose expectations must be met.
After this collective progression, Bernet Workshop makes unique tapestries or limited editions. They can be the reflection of one’s own identity.
Besides, all the tapestries are delivered with a certificate of authenticity, a guarantee of a genuine tapestry made in Aubusson-Felletin, on site, in accordance with the know-how of low-warp weaving.
CREATIONS
FITTING THE MOST VARIED REQUESTS
Apart from the main production of traditional wall tapestry, the Whorkshop also carries out real woven installations : short pile rugs, soft furnishings, interior decoration. It may also restore the ‘relais’ seams of some tapestries.
The dimensions also vary according to the nature of the projects : from fine precious tapestries the size of a painting to large monumental ones for vast areas.
The Workshop can come up to any expectation in so far as the jobs and the required skills are available there.
Eventually not only has the Workshop made large-scale tapestries for procurement contracts but it works for professionals too (architects, designers, interior decorators, collectors, artists, etc…)
The diversity of approach can fulfil the customers’ desires as best as possible.
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SHOWROOM
NEW
CONTACT
ATELIER BERNET
3, rue des Ecoles
23500 FELLETIN
contact@atelier-bernet.fr
05 55 67 19 24 / 06 87 67 50 87