Invisible Crossings
An Artistic Journey to the Heart of Sea and Land Professions
We are currently working on an ambitious cultural mediation project, Invisible Crossing orTraversées Invisibles, which will be rolled out over two years, from the coasts of Brittany to the Normandy coasts. This project will highlight the invisible professions of the sea and the land, through collections of testimonies, circus performances, participatory workshops and exhibitions. Currently being designed, this artistic journey aims to reinvent the link between man and his coastal environment.
The project in brief
Invisible Crossings is a traveling cultural mediation project that will take place over two years, in six rural towns on the Breton and Normandy coasts , with an artistic presence of two months per town. The project will highlight the invisible professions of the sea and the land , in villages far from traditional cultural circuits.
Through circus performances , participatory workshops , and exhibitions , it aims to create deep links between artists and residents while promoting local know-how and raising awareness of ecological issues.
The artists will be immersed in the daily lives of workers (marine carpenters, shellfish farmers, coastal guards, etc.) to collect testimonies, which will then be integrated into the performances and works created. These authentic testimonies will help address the ecological and social challenges of these often overlooked professions.
The project is based on shared governance , with the establishment of citizens' committees in each city. These committees will co-construct the project with the artists, thus ensuring real participation of residents in the creation.
The whole thing will be documented through a documentary film and video clips broadcast on a dedicated website and via a regular newsletter , allowing you to follow the progress of the project.
At the end of the tour, a traveling exhibition will bring together the works produced and will be presented on the beaches, and the screening of the documentary film will bring this collective adventure to a close.
See you soon for the rest...
In the meantime, here is the collaboration that inspired this project!
Current route
Unfolding of the action in each city
The mediation action begins with the arrival of the artistic team in the city , composed of artist/mediators, who settle in for a period of immersion.
The first step is meeting with the local worker whose often-overlooked profession will be highlighted. This meeting is an opportunity to discover their work environment, their techniques, and their story, while exploring together the environmental challenges related to their professional activity. Our priority is to create a climate of trust conducive to authentic and enriching exchanges.
In parallel , the team is engaging in in-depth dialogue with an environmental association active in the city . The association's members share their perspectives on environmental protection and the impact of human activities on the coastline and rural ecosystems. These exchanges provide valuable insights for better understanding the interactions between local practices and environmental challenges.
Based on this work of collecting information and meeting with residents, a series of workshops, participatory actions, and site-specific performances are offered in collaboration with local associations, the environmental association, and the featured worker. These activities allow residents to discover environmental professions and issues through an artistic lens, actively participating in the project.
Finally, a way to preserve this experience is put in place in the form of a video documentary or photo exhibition , which preserves the memory of these encounters and exchanges. This record, created with the support of local associations, the environmental association, and the worker, is a lasting testament to the richness of this mediation, accessible to future generations.
Partners and resources
The project relies on close collaboration with local stakeholders, including community organizations, cultural groups, and professionals, to ground each stage in the realities of the region and enrich the proposed actions. These partnerships foster lasting and meaningful connections with residents, workers, and the environment.
ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Organizations such as Manche Nature in Normandy or VivArmor in Brittany, active in the preservation of the coastline and the support of ecological awareness actions, contribute through their knowledge and networks to integrating environmental issues into the project.
CULTURAL ACTOR AND LOCAL INSTITUTION:
The project requires collaboration with at least one local cultural institution, such as a theatre, a national stage, a cultural centre, a regional festival, or the cultural services of local authorities (urban communities, municipalities). These partners play a key role in hosting the artistic team, performances, and exhibitions, while also facilitating connections with residents and integrating the project into the local cultural landscape.
LOCAL CRAFTSMEN AND WORKERS:
Each profession highlighted involves direct collaboration with local professionals (fishermen, shellfish farmers, marine carpenters, etc.), who share their daily lives, their stories and their specific techniques, thus enriching the creations and participatory actions.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES:
Town halls, social centers and other local institutions can support the hosting of the artistic team, the organization of activities and the promotion of exhibitions, while mobilizing local communities.
LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Collaborations are established with local associations, such as photography groups, associations of former shipwrights, local singing and dancing groups, and regional cuisine groups. These associations contribute to enriching the activities offered by sharing their knowledge and practices, and by involving their members in workshops and performances. Youth organizations are also mobilized to integrate young people into a participatory and creative process.
This partnership network guarantees a collective and inclusive approach, promoting ownership of the project by the territories crossed.
Hélène Bou - Project Dédale - ©Kerzu
Project objectives
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND ACCESS TO CULTURE
"Invisible Crossings" aims to offer residents of rural areas direct access to culture and to actively involve them in the artistic process. The workshops, exhibitions, and performances are designed to encourage the participation of residents in each town, whether it be to share their stories, participate in workshops, or attend performances inspired by their crafts and traditions.
RECOGNIZING UNSEEABLE PROFESSIONS
By giving a voice and visibility to often overlooked professions, the project celebrates the importance of these jobs, their skills, their expertise, and their deep connection to the sea. Each stage highlights a specific trade, offering residents and spectators a unique perspective on the lives of these essential workers.
ECOLOGICAL AND HERITAGE AWARENESS
"Invisible Crossings" incorporates an ecological dimension by raising awareness of the challenges faced by workers on land and at sea, particularly in the face of climate change and resource management. The professions presented are often on the front lines, observing the effects of environmental crises, and the project aims to open a dialogue on the preservation of coastlines and cultural and natural heritage.
CREATING LASTING CONNECTIONS AND TERRITORIAL IMPACT
At each stage, strong links are forged with local partners—communities, associations, cultural institutions—to ensure a lasting impact. By involving local stakeholders over the long term, "Invisible Crossings" hopes to leave a cultural and social imprint in each territory traversed.