An art more than 10,000 years old
“We are in the middle of the basket-making season. At this time, the strands are very resistant,” explains Vincent Allary, activities coordinator. “We want people to carry the living memory of this knowledge which tends to be lost,” adds the employee of the association, initiated into this art which is more than 10,000 years old.
The editorial team advises you
The workshops will take place at I Pôle, in the Puymoyen craft zone. They will be supervised by four basket weaver teachers. Jean-Michel Fourgeaud and Philippe Grousset will lead the discovery days scheduled for Saturday November 16, December 14, January 18, February 15 and March 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Small accessories will be made there, such as feeders. Everyone will be able to leave with it,” promises Vincent Allary. Registration costs €50.
A basket “on hoops” manufactured by the association.
Repro CL
During these seven hours of initiation, participants will discover crossed basketry, one of the three braiding techniques. The strands are woven in a circular manner, from sticks arranged in a cross which form the base of the work, “often baskets”. The other two approaches will be taught over several sessions.
“Touch is a sense that we no longer exploit.”
From November 13 to February 12, over six Wednesdays (€120), from 1:30 p.m., Alain Malavergne focused on spiral basketry, using straws, twisted by hand, sewn together with brambles. “In the Charente style. »
The so-called “on hoops” method, when we first assemble the framework and then interweave the plants, will be taught over eleven Saturdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. until April 19 (€250). Improvement workshops, for people already initiated, will also be organized on eleven other Saturdays, until April 26.
A sustainable activity
At the heart of this activity: touch. “A sense that we no longer exploit,” according to Vincent Allary. Feel the curvatures, the resistance of the materials and succeed in intertwining the twigs. “We could do basketry with our eyes closed,” he assures us.
These courses are also an opportunity for the association to raise participants’ awareness of the preservation of ecosystems and vegetative cycles. “There will be a walk to learn how to recognize plants and harvest them at the right time,” announces Vincent Allary. Most of the sprigs are, however, harvested on site, thanks to a plot maintained by the Compagnons du végétal. A sustainable activity in every sense of the word.
Registration at 06 85 80 00 78 or at animation@lescompagnonsduvégétal.fr.
