Fleuir, cendrer, dormir" exhibition by Léna Hiriartborde

In the Roya valley, the hilltop village of Saorge is dominated by a unique building, founded in 1639. The Franciscan convent of Saorge, a Baroque masterpiece, is part of an unspoilt natural environment that is as conducive to creation as it is inspiring.

The monument welcomes writers and artists in residence, whose creations draw on the spirituality of the place, the history of the region and its breathtaking landscapes.

For four weeks in the spring, Léna Hiriartborde explored the nooks and crannies of this monastic architecture, offering glimpses into a lush setting.

Interested in the multiple relationships we have with living beings, both human and non-human, the artist produced pieces that resonated with the places she visited.

In the garden, she focused on plants in flower, their exuberant sensuality, their disconcerting strangeness, to the point of losing all sense of scale and reality.

She used sound modulations, photographs and drawings as forms of expression for these plants.

Installed in the sacristy and the former sheepfold, the two works take a step back from the austerity of the site, echoing the invaluable attention that the Franciscans paid to natural elements, animals and plants.

A partnership between Frac Sud - Cité de l'art contemporain and the Centre des monuments nationaux