WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — On Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 pm, the Clark Art Institute presents "Between Tradition and Experimentation: The Contemporary Creation of Tapestry," a talk by Lucile Montagne, Chief Curator at the Mobilier national. 

 

This free lecture is given in conjunction with the Clark's exhibition "Wall Power! Modern French Tapestry from the Mobilier national, Paris," and takes place in the Clark's Manton Research Center auditorium.

 

According to a press release:

 

The Mobilier national of France has supported crafts and creation since the seventeenth century. Since the 1930s, the national tapestry manufactories of Gobelins and Beauvais have been part of the Mobilier national, participating in the mid-twentieth century's "renaissance" of tapestry. Since the 1960s, they have sought to bring together tapestry makers and artists, with projects specifically designed to be woven. Lucile Montagne, Chief Curator at the Mobilier national, presents a close look at this long tradition of the Gobelins and Beauvais factories, which remain faithful to the traditional technique on the loom while working with contemporary artists of all movements to create exciting new tapestries.

 

Drawn from the celebrated collection of the Mobilier national from the 1940s to the present day, Wall Power! Modern French Tapestry from the Mobilier national, Paris explores the resurgence of the ancient French tradition of tapestry-making, including works by Henri Matisse, Sonia Delaunay, and Kiki Smith.

 

"Wall Power! Modern French Tapestry from the Mobilier national, Paris" is organized by the Clark Art Institute and curated by Kathleen Morris, Sylvia and Leonard Marx Director of Collections and Exhibitions and curator of decorative arts.

 

Support for this exhibition is provided by George W. Ahl III, the Coby Foundation, and Robert D. Kraus. The exhibition catalogue is made possible by Denise Littlefield Sobel.

 

Free. Accessible seats available.