Made in Situ by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance presents “CARETOS”
Unveiling the Mysticism and Madness
of Caretos through Artisan Craftsmanship
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Deeply ingrained in the cultural tapestry of northern Portugal, the Caretos festivities are a fascinating amalgamation of mysticism, ancient rituals, and a madness of sorts that can only be translated as indelible tension. For its latest exhibition, Made in Situ unveils a convergence of different elements that speak to this indelible, ritualistic tradition.
7 ARTISANS – 7 STOOLS
From Lazarim village
Seven ornamental stools, inhabited by the spirits of Caretos, are joined by Charles Fréger's piercing portraits from his ongoing series, "Wilder Mann." These are all held together by a scenographic landscape built by Made in Situ, taking us on a journey where madness meets mystical—an endeavour to depict an unseeable energy passed on through tradition. The seven wooden stools crafted by seven skilled artisans from Lazarim, embodying the expressive masks worn by the Caretos serve as focal points within the scenographic space, immortalising the spirit of the tradition in tangible form.
This exhibition marks a pivotal moment for Made in Situ, as the designer takes a step back and invites the artisans to express themselves fully. While Made in Situ provides the framework and guidance, the artisans are granted the freedom to explore the depths of their creativity and transfer their knowledge into captivating objects with distinct perspectives. The Caretos collection is made up of unique pieces and inspiring encounters that will continue to be developed over the years. Future explorations through other villages and know-how could lead to different forms of objects…
THE STORY BEHIND CARETOS
Hailing from Trás-os-Montes, known for rugged landscapes and deep-rooted traditions, Caretos festivities offer a glimpse into authentic Portuguese heritage.
As dusk descends upon the picturesque village of Vila Boa de Ousilhão — one of the few still holding the original celebrations, alongside Lazarim and Podence - where Made in Situ’s film takes place - a palpable energy fills the air, as the community gathers to share meals, drink, celebrate and come together during the depths of winter. These gatherings are an opportunity for families to reconnect with each other, as well as city dwellers who visit with a sense of discovery and a desire for celebration in these rural, increasingly deserted areas.
As flames illuminate the night sky, rituals steeped in symbolism unfold, echoing resilience of generations past. The ancient practice of leaping over the fire serves as a reminder of triumph over adversity, as Caretos dance in harmony with the earth's primal pulse.
Beneath the surface lies a subtle tension, echoing primal instincts within Caretos themselves. Roaming with unrestrained abandon, their wild antics border on chaos, hinting at dormant untamed forces within us all.
The exhibition will be live from the 22nd of May to the 28th of September 2024.
© photo Sanda Vuckovic
Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance: Biography-Portrait
A multidisciplinary French designer, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance is well known for his sensitive attention to materials and details, as well as for the refinement of his organic forms. From his initial training as a sculptor, he has kept this innate aptitude for dialogue between space and object. The duality between artistic vision and meticulous rigour, nature and the city, functionality and emotion flows seamlessly through his projects, whether in interior architecture (the Sketch à in London, the Air France lounges, the chalet at La Transhumance, Montblanc) or in the design of furniture or objects (published by Ceccotti, Bernhardt Design, Ligne Roset, La Chance, Hermès, Saint-Louis, Revol, Steinway & sons), but also tailor-made for private clients or cultural institutions such as the Villa Medici.
His work has always flourished in collaboration and dialogue with craftsmen and craftswomen, and this approach takes on even more cultural and emotional depth today. In order to reconnect with nature and weave a sensitive link between man and his environment, he chose to move to Lisbon in 2017. From this immersion was born the Made In Situ project. Through its various chapters and encounters - to date the black ceramics of Tondela Barro Negro, the cork from the Algarve Burnt Cork, the Azulejos of Viuva Lamego, the bronze of Peniche and the beeswax candles of Fatima, Bronze & Beeswax as well as the latest French opus rooted in the ‘massif des Maures’ Chêne & Liège - Made In Situ explores, through the prism of the designer's eyes, a variety of territories, geological, artisanal, economic and cultural. A travel diary that can only be extended, in France or elsewhere.
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