Including three artists from the Tjanpi Desert Weavers artist cooperative, the 7th FITE – Biennale textile – Clermont-Ferrand focuses on the theme PLAY.

A unique event of its kind organised every 2 years, the FITE – Biennale Textile (previously Festival International of Extraordinary Textiles) honours both traditional craftsmanship, threatened by globalisation, and the creativity of contemporary artists using textile as a medium.

FITE’s 7th edition “PLAY” invites you to open up, at the time of the 2024’s Olympics Games, to the notion of game, casualness, collaboration, pleasure, challenge and hope. It’s an encouragement to take another path and to develop a different look on fundamental issues that push and revitalise our contemporary society: environmental crisis, our relationship with digital technologies, questions about equality and identity, postcolonial challenges, knowing how to live and work together.

FITE’s program includes:

  • 18 exhibitions, including 15 in Clermont- Ferrand, 4 in associated programming and 3 in Cervières, Retournac and Lyon,
  • Thanks to the artworks of 50 artists, designers and heritage collections of 32 different nationalities.
  • A festive opening week from July 2 to 7;
  • A programme of exhibitions throughout the summer until September 22;
  • Two exhibitions at the musée Bargoin and the musée d’art Roger-Quilliot until January 12, 2025.

Information and detailed program : THE-FITE.COM

 

Beryl Bell, Donna Ferguson & Sheryth Bronson – “Tjanpi Utes”, 2023 – Tjanpi (local grass), hand-dyed raffia, wire, repurposed metal from abandoned cars – Various dimensions – Courtesy Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

 

Tjanpi artists’ artworks are presented at the Bargoin Museum:

PLAY
2 July 2024 – 12 January 2025
Musée Bargoin
45, rue Ballainvilliers, Clermont-Ferrand
France

Tjanpi Artists’ participation in the FITE – Biennale Textile has been organised in collaboration with IDAIA.

>> Find out more about the artists and their works