La Biennale de Momon originated from the village of Maumont in the
southwest of France. Maumont, similar to many old villages, has
changed significantly over the past few decades. While the site
has retained the same physical structure, very little has remained
of the original atmosphere: Residents disappeared and strangers
took over the vacancies. Agriculture became gardening, physical
labor became relaxation.
The original plan was for the artists to each reside and work in
Maumont for a time, absorbing the atmosphere, history, and
stories. We agreed that after our residencies we would leave the
village without a trace and that the project would be presented
online only.
The pandemic has radically changed the project. Most participants
only know the village from photos and video. The physical reality
that had triggered the project, now plays a different role. The
pandemic also changed the project conceptually, as it pushed us
even more from the physical towards the virtual. Not so much
experiencing this as a limitation, we accepted this as a natural
event which inevitably influences our choices. Looking at what was
still there, we imagined how this could lead us to something
beautiful. We created a new colony in the virtual world, not based
on the village of Maumont, but based on an imaginary Momon.
The domain momon.fr has became our new
location, a new base, the new original.
La Biennale de Momon, initiated by Frans
van Lent, was composed by nine artists:
Sarah Boulton,
Marc Buchy,
Joan Heemskerk,
Frans van Lent,
Susana Mendes Silva,
Josh Schwebel,
Lisa Skuret,
Elia Torrecilla
and
Martine Viale.
What these artists have in common is a focus on the processes of
change rather than on its material deposits. Designer
Maya Rettelbach has gathered the
artists’ work together on neutral terrain, in a place outside the
village, in a virtual garden.
La Biennale de Momon originated from the village of Maumont in the
southwest of France. Maumont, similar to many old villages, has
changed significantly over the past few decades. While the site
has retained the same physical structure, very little has remained
of the original atmosphere: Residents disappeared and strangers
took over the vacancies. Agriculture became gardening, physical
labor became relaxation.
The original plan was for the artists to each reside and work in
Maumont for a time, absorbing the atmosphere, history, and
stories. We agreed that after our residencies we would leave the
village without a trace and that the project would be presented
online only.
The pandemic has radically changed the project. Most participants
only know the village from photos and video. The physical reality
that had triggered the project, now plays a different role. The
pandemic also changed the project conceptually, as it pushed us
even more from the physical towards the virtual. Not so much
experiencing this as a limitation, we accepted this as a natural
event which inevitably influences our choices. Looking at what was
still there, we imagined how this could lead us to something
beautiful. We created a new colony in the virtual world, not based
on the village of Maumont, but based on an imaginary Momon.
The domain momon.fr has became our new
location, a new base, the new original.
La Biennale de Momon, initiated by Frans
van Lent, was composed by nine artists:
Sarah Boulton,
Marc Buchy,
Joan Heemskerk,
Frans van Lent,
Susana Mendes Silva,
Josh Schwebel,
Lisa Skuret,
Elia Torrecilla
and
Martine Viale.
What these artists have in common is a focus on the processes of
change rather than on its material deposits. Designer
Maya Rettelbach has gathered the
artists’ work together on neutral terrain, in a place outside the
village, in a virtual garden.