Dear visitors, dear colleagues, dear partners,
The long-awaited fifth edition of Révélations, the fine craft and creation celebration is finally here. We were looking forward to this precious reunion between material artists of the fine craft sector and the audience. In this terrible context, we felt the urgent need for a common project. A project as universal as creation is – the essence of mankind. And the need to take a fresh look at our environment, our resources and the beauty of the world.
Material artists have a formidable medium of expression and a vital point of anchor in our contemporary world. The direct dialogue with materials, which is at the heart of the fine craft sector’s commitment, is demanding and clear; it requires knowledge and technical skills, at the service of creation.
This ability to use materials for creation is intrinsic to the identity of fine crafts. It is what makes us attractive and has allowed us to sustain over time – our workshops’ ability to invent, create, adapt and, through ethical practices, glorify materials and convey our work.
* La Saison Africa2020 est organisée et mise en œuvre par l’Institut français avec le soutien du ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères, du ministère de la Culture, du ministère de l’Éducation nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports et en partenariat avec l’Agence Française de Développement. La Saison bénéficie également du soutien du Comité des mécènes d’Africa2020.
This year, nearly 400 creators are gathered under the vault of this new Grand Palais Éphémère, with majestic perspectives towards the Eiffel Tower. They will unveil the best of their workshops, their latest creations, in an international dialogue with over thirty countries represented! “Le Banquet”, true backbone of the event, gives a visual and tangible form to this international dialogue of material creation: with pieces, identities and singular expressions from the entire world. Each Révélations edition honours material creation from a country, a region of the world. This year, we have decided to honour an entire continent: the African continent!
African creations are the common thread running through this entire edition where we will discover the craftsmanship and techniques specific to various countries and regions of the continent, from the Maghreb to Southern and Western Africa. They echo the values that the entire fine craft sector bears – such as sustainability, research and innovation, respect for the resource and territorial belonging.
With its diversity, its creative abundance and commitments, Révélations is also a hotspot for debates and reflections animated by the industry players and experts who regularly attend the fair. Since the first edition, we have wanted this fair to be a place for words and dialogues, which are vital to build the future of the sector together. This edition will particularly address the subject of training, which is key to the preservation of fine crafts.
Let us begin this new edition of Révélations, let us travel around the fine craft sector, an essential sector, with vital economic, social, artistic, cultural, heritage and touristic contributions!
Aude Tahon,
President of the Revelations exhibition
President of Ateliers d'Art de France
