Six photography exhibitions are currently installed throughout the villages of Haut-Lignon until August 24, bringing together nine photographers. Among these compelling displays is 'Paysannes' (Peasant Women) by Alexis Vettoretti, a touching exhibition presented at the bookstore in Tence that offers a profound look into rural women's lives.
The gallery on the upper floor of La Boîte à Soleils bookstore in Tence hosts 'Peasant Women,' a moving exhibition by photographer Alexis Vettoretti that sharply examines the condition of women in rural areas, both yesterday and undoubtedly still today, elsewhere and here as well. These women, first identified as 'daughters of' and later as 'wives of,' represent generations whose lives were largely defined by their relationships to men.
Armed with a 4x5 large format camera, Alexis Vettoretti traveled through the countryside to meet these peasant women. His photographs tell stories of lives endured rather than chosen, lives spent between the farm and the kitchen, made up of hard labor and acceptance. The women look straight into the camera lens, maintaining a posture of great dignity throughout their portraits.
Coming from the generation between the two world wars, these 'daughters of' who became 'wives of' had limited prospects beyond moving from their parents' farm to their in-laws' farm. In Vettoretti's work, the farm is often reduced to what has always been its nerve center: the kitchen. It is in this symbolic room that the photographer chose to create his portraits, recognizing it as the heart of domestic life for rural women.
The exhibition has drawn powerful responses from visitors, particularly those with a keen eye for photography in general and contemporary photography in particular. 'Beyond the great technical mastery and the quality of his large format camera work, it's his gaze full of humanity that is deeply moving,' noted one observer. 'Literally, a local woman who had experienced life on a farm was moved to tears while looking at these portraits.'
The portraits, all taken in the kitchen—the nerve center for womankind—have a distinctive compositional choice: none show the subjects' feet, as the framing stops at ankle height for all the women. However, the hands tell the story of the hard labor of that era, each weathered and worn by years of demanding work. Each portrait is accompanied by a small commentary that provides context and deeper insight into the subject's life.
The technical excellence of Vettoretti's work is evident in his masterful use of the large format camera, but it's the human element that truly distinguishes this exhibition. The photographer's ability to capture not just the physical presence of these women but their inner strength and dignity creates a powerful testament to a generation that often went unrecognized.
To complement this exhibition by Alexis Vettoretti, a special reading will be given on Thursday, August 21, at 5:00 PM, by acclaimed author Marie-Hélène Lafon, in partnership with Les Lectures sous l'Arbre (Readings Under the Tree), at La Boîte à Soleils in Tence. Admission is free for this literary event that promises to add another layer of interpretation to the photographic work.
The bookstore maintains regular hours from Monday to Saturday, opening from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:45 PM to 7:00 PM, making the exhibition accessible to visitors throughout the week.
For those interested in learning more about the complete photography circuit, additional information is available at www.6x6photos-hautlignon.fr, where visitors can also download a comprehensive guide to all six exhibitions.
Several upcoming events are scheduled as part of the broader photography circuit:
On Wednesday, August 6, at 6:00 PM, photographer Luc Chazot will present his exhibition at the former town hall in Chenereilles, offering visitors a chance to hear directly from the artist about his work.
Thursday, August 7, features two events: from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, there will be a linocut workshop focusing on symbolic objects of rural life, held in the room under the town hall in Le Mas-de-Tence. This workshop is designed for teenagers and adults and requires advance registration by calling 04 71 59 59 10. That same evening at 8:30 PM, Ciné Tence will screen the 1972 fiction film 'Deliverance' by John Boorman, with regular cinema pricing.
Friday, August 8, at 6:00 PM, visitors can meet with photographers Béatrice Ropers, Françoise Fournier, and Dominique Berta in Le Mas-de-Tence for a discussion about their work and artistic approaches.
Tuesday, August 19, at 6:00 PM, will feature a live graffiti performance by Clément Bransiani, who will offer his free interpretation of the photographic circuit at La Plage in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon.
The previously mentioned reading by Marie-Hélène Lafon on Thursday, August 21, at 5:00 PM, will take place at La Boîte à Soleils in Tence, focusing on the theme of peasant women in partnership with Les Lectures sous l'Arbre.
Finally, on Saturday, August 23, at 3:00 PM, there will be a guided tour of the 'Ozarks' exhibition at the Botanical Garden in Mazet-Saint-Voy, led by the event organizers.
This comprehensive circuit of photography exhibitions represents a significant cultural event for the Haut-Lignon region, bringing together diverse artistic voices and offering multiple opportunities for community engagement with contemporary photography. The 'Peasant Women' exhibition at Tence serves as a particularly poignant anchor point, reminding viewers of the often-overlooked stories of rural women and their enduring strength in the face of challenging circumstances.
