The Richelieu Laboratory

The Concept

The Richelieu Laboratory is the first phase of a two year project which brought together artists and architects with residents, associations, local arts organisations, politicians, anthropologists, horticulturalists and landscape architects to explore the vision for the Richelieu Biennale.

Guiding principles were drawn up for socially engaged art and architecture in the rural. The challenges of bringing contemporary architecture, design and art into dialogue with a historic site and whether culture can revive a rural community were discussed.

Ideas centred on the temporary pavilion as a nexus for the Biennale: an arcadian shelter inviting us to rest, to discuss, to perform or to find shade and admire the view. The function of the pavilion is to be without function. A utopian structure made purely for pleasure, aesthetics and experimentation.

Investigative Journeys

Tour of the Town led by historian Bernard Gaborit

The Participants