Les Fèvres 2009 : The 4th European working exhibition of the art professions of metals

The 4th “edition” (staging) of the working exhibition Les Fèvres will take place from 23rd -25th October 2009, at the castle-museum at the town of Eu, Normandy, France.

Every second year, blacksmiths, locksmiths, coppersmiths, cutlers, chasers, ironfounders, engravers, gold and silversmiths, sculptors, jewellers, enamellers, bronzefounders, clockmakers, repoussé smiths and metalspinners etc., exhibit the best of their work to trade buyers, collectors, and the general public.

Copper, zinc, stainless steel, iron, silver, brass, steel, bronze etc., all metals are honoured.

Such diversity allows a definition of the character of the metalworking arts in Europe now, and the strength given to them by the modern rediscovery of traditional skills and knowledge. This richness of know-how demonstrates all the resources yielded by the mastery of metals, both in maintaining ancestral techniques, and in embracing new working methods and novel materials.

The program includes various workshops which will aim to validate and define the unique “gesture” of the artist-craftsman, and through this to direct market demand in a quest for ever-higher quality.

As has been the custom since 2003, the European blacksmiths present at Les Fèvres will be asked to participate in the making of a collaborative sculpture to create a monumental work on a particular topical theme.

Several training establishments and various suppliers will also be present in order to inform the public not only about the best ways of entering the various trades, but also on the types of equipment and tools available to these trades.