Paray-le-Monial: A Very Special Place for Mosaic

Every summer, the beautiful French city of Paray-le-Monial becomes a contemporary mosaic magnet. Renowned artists, aspiring students, and mosaic lovers from all over the world are drawn to a series of exhibitions and classes designed to showcase the very best the art form has to offer.

The driving force behind all of this is an association called M comme Mosaique ("M as in Mosaic") Their mission is to (we are loosely translating here) "promote the art of mosaic in its contemporary component in conjunction with a group of internationally renowned mosaic artists. The goal is to act as a link between professional mosaicists and professionals from related industries (architects, designers, collectors, art critics, journalists, curators, etc.) and especially the general public so that they will better know and appreciate the state of the art."

MAN covered M comme Mosaique's 2009 exhibit, "Reminicenses" with work by Valeria Ercolani and Almuth Schops last July. We recently contacted the organization to get information on this summer's activities. What follows is the response of the very kind Florian Perrier. We are grateful for the information and the spectacular photos that promise an incredible mosaic experience. Please be sure to click on the photos so they will enlarge for you.

Ah, to be in Paray-le-Monial. A loaf of bread. A glass of wine. And mosaics that challenge and inspire before us. Sigh.

Enjoy -- Nancie

For more than ten years, there has been a first-rate centre for the promotion of contemporary mosaic in France, in Paray-le-Monial (southern Burgundy), run by the association M comme Mosaïque.

Exhibitions are held each summer in the city centre. They present the works of today’s greatest mosaicists, of all nationalities, e.g, over the last three years: Marco and Dusciana Bravura, Valeria Ercolani, Jérôme Gulon, Ines Morigi-Berti, Felice Nittolo, Almuth Schöps and the Mosaizm artists’ association. Over the years, Paray-le-Monial has thus become the place that brings mosaic lovers together inevitably each year.

This summer 2010’s programme will include two exhibitions, from 9th July until 14th September:

- In the Saint Nicolas Tower, “Tesselles en liberté” (Tesserae at large) will present the works of Cecile Bouvarel, France Hogué , and Luciano Petris.

Conte nordique, Cécile Bouvarel, 2008, 42,5x34 cm
pierre / métal / pâte de verre

Se cantare é ancora possibile, Luciano Petris, 2009, 25x125 cm,
émaux de Venise / galets / matériaux sintérisés / grillage métallique

Lointaine galaxie (détail), France Hogué, 2009, 60x60 cm,
étain / pâte de verre / poudre de métaux

Élégance du rocher 2, France Hogué, 2009,15x20 cm,
noir de Belgique / émaux de Venise / or de Venise / ardoise
Table Stephano Zuliani, Luciano Petris, 2009, 90x90 cm,
marbre / or de Venise /matériaux sintérisés / terre cuite

- In the Public Library, “Bibliomosaico”, on the theme of books and reading, will show together the artists’ books of nine young international mosaicists, as well as works by Daniele Strada.

Histoires d'un autre temps, Armin Grathwohl

La chambre des Muses, Matylda Tracewca

L'impero della luce, Daniele Strada, 160 mosaïques de 14 x12 cm,
émaux vénitiens et mono-cuissons émaillés fluorescents

Strumenti dell'inconscio, Daniele Strada, 33 x 33 cm,
émaux vénitiens et mono-cuissons émaillés fluorescents

The association M comme Mosaïque also provides training courses in mosaic: each year about twenty (a week long) courses are held. They are led by renowned professional mosaicists , such as Henry-Noël Aubry, Joël Barguil, Gérard Brand, Giovanna Galli, Verdiano Marzi, Paolo Racagni…, among many others. The varied themes of the courses make it possible for students of all levels to explore the art of mosaic from its various angles.

For more information: www.mcommemosaique.org

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CALL TO ARTISTS
2011 Exhibition In Print
Featuring Multiple Works from Individual Mosaic Artists
Selected by an International Panel of Distinguished Jurors
Two $500 Prizes
Deadline: October 1, 2010
Click here for more information.