Temporary exhibit for contemporary tapestries

From April 2 to May 31, 2019, the Abbey organizes Eggshell Alchimie within its walls, a new exhibition of contemporary tapestries, made with flowers from the Abbey and eggshells, by the textile artist Geneviève Levivier. The works, which are attuned to the architecture and the spirit of the place, combine sensory design, innovative techniques and poetry.

Innovative textile techniques and poetry

Geneviève Levivier is a Walloon visual textile artist with an international look which has been exhibiting for many years both in Belgium and abroad. Her creations, contemporary tapestries, are full of visual and tangible surprises and she always designs them influenced by a certain place.

She combines tangible and visual sensitivity with personal innovative techniques. An example of this is the creation of a textile material with integrated sustainable fibres of maize or beets, intimately mixed with flowers and eggshells. This textile material also allowed the production of new work in large formats for the Abbey. The essence of her work stems from the metamorphosis of the materials and the unmistakable poetry that comes from this.

Organic and geometrically purified forms

The format - square or round, evoking the two geometric forms present in the stripping of Cistercian architecture – of the 9 works created for the Abbey answers to the very free organic aspect of her works.  

The play of light

For the tapestries the artist realised an innovative translucence while the natural elements remain visible. The works are arranged in the free space of the windows of the Abbey and evoke the light that shines through the sober white glass. Just like the monochrome windows of the Cistercians, they aim to calm the mind and achieve an internal balance.

The simple and pure form of the works harmoniously interacts with the monastic architecture and encourages meditation.

An eco-responsible artist

As part of its social commitment, the Abbey supports an eco-responsible artist by participating in this exhibition. Since 2015, the specialist in creating textile and supple materials that combine art, craftsmanship and technology, has been creating textile works with eggshells and flowers. The latter have already been exhibited and awarded internationally, specifically at the Milan World Fair. The raw materials for the tapestries come from a nearby bakery as well as from the Abbey itself. So the artist used local recyclable materials and the short circuit.

To the rhythm of nature

Geneviève Levivier prefers a slow creation that starts with collecting the egg shells and picking the flowers in the Gardens of the Abbey. The integration of eggshells and flowers as a source for the creations reminds of the intrinsic link between man and nature.

With the exhibition Eggshell Alchimie, the dialogue between architecture, textile art and natural light brings the viewer to feel the particular atmosphere of the architecture and to plunge into a poetic and meditative journey.

 

Practical Information

Dates: from April 2 till May 31 2019

Opening times: the exhibit is accessible during the opening hours of the Abbey, from 10 AM till 6 PM.

Entry charges (access to the Abbey included): adults € 9 - seniors (60+) and students € 7 - children 6-12 year-olds € 4 -< 6  year-olds = free admission 

Location: outdoor exhibition in the Abbey