ALONG THE FLAX THREAD

ARTIST writes the next story of his collection “AU FIL DE LIN” on handmade Nepalese paper from the bark fiber of the “Lokta”.

From January 26 to February 4, follow the wonderful story of a pretty paper, d an enigmatic painting, and a range of Art-à-Porter.

The visual artist Catherine Danou who lent herself to the artistic collaboration of the 1^era session 2024 produces most of its works on this exceptional traditional paper.

 Beyond the painting chosen this time, ARTIST shows the correlation between the authentic universe of a sensitive pictorial interpretation and the very natural universe of linen fabrics or cotton for its exclusive models. Its spirit, its materials, its colors echo the artist's preferred medium, his backdrop. The work of Catherine Danou and the ARTIST collection resonate with a simple and gentle resonance Of the nicest effect.

 Lokta or Daphne papyracea

 The Daphne papyracea, a shrub 1.50 m to 4 m high, grows at altitude in southern China and in the Himalayan zones of India and Pakistan, in Nepal, Bhutan, etc.

The genus name daphne is borrowed from the Greek δαφνη “laurel” due to the similar shape of the leaves. It is also called “Nepal laurel”.

The specific epithet papyracea comes from the feminine declension of the Latin word papyraceus “which has the consistency of papyrus.”

Its winter flowers, between white and pink, form small fragrant bouquets from November to January with a scent close to hyacinth.

Respectful of the environment, the manufacturing technique dates back to the first Tibetan manuscripts. In October, the bark of the branches, rich in plant fibers, is harvested in strips from the branches cut about twenty centimeters above the ground. Renewable resources, wild shrubs are not destroyed by this method and regenerate between 5 and 8 years later.

The collected peels are beaten using mallets then boiled twice consecutively.

The resulting pulp is then poured evenly into wooden sieves, gently stirred in basins of water, then dried outside for 2 to 8 hours depending on sunlight.

 

Coloring is done using natural pigments. White or rather ecru, this background has different inlaid flowers or leaves depending on the quality. This random dyeing process offers many colors, sometimes bright, but never identical. In these regions, brown comes from the bark of Cassius, red brown from the henna shrub, light brown from juniper, ocher from acacia, eggplant from fir and spruce.

The ironing stage follows. Sometimes the decorated leaves are printed by hand using wooden stamps. They can also be glued onto woven cotton or reworked into patchwork... Each sheet is unique, entirely crafted according to this ancestral practice.

This species of plants surprises with many other characteristics. Its skin or the juice of its roots are used, for example, as an antiseptic or in a decoction…

This specific leaflet demonstrates unrivaled durability and resistance to tearing, humidity, insects, etc. And helps preserve the potency of incense, spices and medicines.

Folio preferred for official Tibetan government documents, such as birth certificates or land titles. Folio of choice for sacred religious texts…

Moreover, the oldest Buddhist sacred text on Lokta appears around 1000 in the National Archives of Nepal. Since the 12th century, mantras stored in prayer wheels, or sutras chanted by monks, have been printed there.

These non-absorbent papers with fancy patterns, natural, large format, crumpled, can be used under the ball of a pen or feather and ink for calligraphy...

 

Creations of cardboard, framing, other creative hobbies, decoration, notebooks, book bindings, wallpapers... It displays in all its intensity a feverish activity, deploying multiple functions and noble qualities.

 Catherine Danou remains very attached to this excellent material, manufactured according to the rules of the art. Wherever his imagination leads us, the signature of his particular writing is inscribed on this precious, immemorial canvas.

ARTIST supports the manufacturing process respected in principle at the heart of human organizations committed to both the social and ecological fields. The on-site sector employs 80% women, also offers a retirement system for workers and encourages the schooling of children.

ARTIST invites you to discover the visual artist Catherine Danou in the article of 21 and the details of the collection “AU FIL DE LIN” the following January 28 in this same magazine.