Combat : lockdown

COMBAT LOCK DOWN

Educational residency at COMMUNAUTÉ D'AGGLOMÉRATION DE BÉTHUNE-BRUAY, ARTOIS LYS ROMANE, France 2019-2021

Superimposition of textiles and Portrait

I worked with Andrew Matthews in the Bethune-Bruay community, France, from October 2019 to March 2021, with the residency extended due to COVID-19. With most exhibitions closed, we gathered references and artifacts, including textiles from the Tissuthèque digital collection at the Museum of La Piscine, Roubaix, with help from Norah Mokrani.
This experience exposed students to the creative process, encouraged dialogue, and emphasized the importance of individual creativity in empowering the community. Each student spent 1-2 sessions carefully selecting textiles, spanning the 17th to 20th centuries, requiring close observation and understanding. More about Tissuthèque

VIDEO

In November 2020, we shifted to creating videos for students, adapting the project to remote learning due to the pandemic. We focused on my series Combat: Manual for Daily Survival, a participatory community project where students selected a meaningful gesture for their portrait. This approach resonated with the Bethune area, renowned for its small-scale textile production. Throughout the project, we regularly shared feedback videos, allowing students to reflect on their own work and that of others, even in our absence.

portrait with hand gestures

From the 125 participants, we collected portrait photographs with gestures exchanged via email for follow-up. The photographs were later treated in black and white by Andrew. I created PDF guides on gestures and portrait photography, allowing teachers and students to work independently on the first part of the project. These PDFs aimed to help students become aware of their hand movements and understand their meaningful use. We also guided teachers in photographing their students.

Gestes FR PDF

Gestes & Photo colour

Textile- concept and structure

My third PDF focused on textiles, including an introduction to the La Piscine collection, the definition of fabrics, and the history of textiles along the Silk Road and in France. It also covered Gandhi and weaving, artists' works involving thread and weaving, and the concept of social engagement—where each thread represents an individual and the fabric, society. I encouraged students to try weaving with this idea in mind.

Example by Andrew Matthews on weaving different faces.

pages from PDF on textile

Students works on weaving.

Weaving in a group, as a performative action.

Button Text

Patterns

The following week, we focused on textile patterns. I prepared a PDF for teachers to share with students, introducing diverse patterns for observation and discussion. I selected 125 textile examples from the La Piscine collection, which were sent by post to teachers for exploration in class.
The PDF included:

An introduction to the La Piscine collection
The definition of patterns in nature (trees, flowers, animals)
Symbolism of patterns, influences of different periods, countries, and art movements
Human representation in textiles, from cave art to the 20th century, including connections to Egypt, Italy, France, China, and the Silk Road
Architectural patterns, regional textiles from the Industrial Revolution, and narrative textiles like Toile du Jouy (depicting historical events like the end of slavery and the French Revolution)

I also included a form for teachers to engage with students, allowing flexibility in content selection.

kirigami-cutting pattern

Experimentation of creating patterns through Kirigami. Using color Paper, magazine and reproduction of old textiles.

experimentation of superimposition, kirigami and collage on reproduction of old texties.

Creating textile patterns : Stamps

Workshop with students

Video Collaboration

We created videos in collaboration with the Ethnological Museum of Bethune, working with Chantal Kocialkowski. Martin Taffin demonstrated how textiles were manually woven, showcasing an unusual antique three-faced toy doll. More about the museum. Additionally, we partnered with La Cité des Électriciens and Samuel Bajeux, who explained the history of wallpaper patterns in miners' homes. Learn more about La Cité des Électriciens.

"This meeting was very rich - the children lived an experience which will mark their school days. It was always easy to see the value in their work, they took the opportunity to express themselves, and everything took place in a serene and caring atmosphere. Each idea was concrete and had a precise goal. Thanks to the printing of their portrait, they also learned to look, to analyze, to respect, particularly to respect themselves.The numerous moments of dialogue and exchange allowed them to learn to listen to each other, to dare to expose their point of view. Thanks to all involved we were able, during a difficult period when it is impossible to realize outings towards cultural places, to sidestep the difficulties because ART came to us, like a breath of fresh air! The polyvalence and Andy's joie de vivre contributed to the success of the project." Coralie
Last work file that resumes the project over all.

This project was beautiful, and I enjoyed it because it was interesting. The Part I preferred was stamp making. It was great. You spent many hours working on filming, and the videos were very successful. I loved everything. Therefore, you should continue the way that you work—working plus explanations. It is super!
The message I like to pass on is; It was great; I really loved it. It is an exceptional project. Maelys

It was good; I loved working on this work and am disappointed that it is ending. I loved everything, but I preferred when we discussed why we chose the textiles and what they evoked in us. The video was well-made, and the editing was incredible. I liked the videos. I loved everything because it was well constructed.
Message; I am going to miss you. This project was incredible. I am disappointed it is ending but continue in this way. Romain