L'Étoffe des Rêves, the exhibition at Halle Saint-Pierre

What if a simple thread could open the doors to the imaginary? The exhibition L'étoffe des rêves at Halle Saint Pierre invites visitors to plunge into a universe where textiles become a poetic language, somewhere between art brut, art singulier and surrealism, from September 12, 2025 to July 31, 2026. Over 300 works by 36 artists transform this everyday material into a territory of experimentation and memory.

Textiles as a field of collective imagination

Presented throughout the Halle Saint Pierre, this exhibition offers a new interpretation of textiles as an artistic medium. Often regarded as a domestic or craft medium, fabric here asserts itself as a vector of creation, diverted from its usual uses. You'll discover works made from modest, natural or recycled materials, as well as sculptural pieces, suspended installations, wall hangings and painted textiles that question our relationship with time and memory.

This project is the result of a collaboration between Halle Saint Pierre and the Centre international du surréalisme et de la citoyenneté mondiale in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Curated by Clément Gaësler, it aims to give an unprecedented place to a material rarely used by raw and surrealist artists. Here, thread becomes metaphor, whether as the bearer of intimate stories or a vehicle for collective narratives.

A new twist on know-how

The diversity of techniques presented in the L'Étoffe des Rêves exhibition reflects a constant dialogue between tradition and experimentation. You'll come across works in weaving, embroidery, tapestry, macramé, lace, knitting and couture, all approached in innovative or subversive ways. Textiles are transformed into volumes, landscapes, surfaces and even bodies.

Each piece develops a singular visual vocabulary, oscillating between minimalism and an abundance of detail. Some works are suspended, creating a sense of immersion, while others, rooted in the raw material, interact with the architecture of the Halle. This journey stimulates the senses and questions the boundary between art and craft, while also questioning the place of textiles in our daily and cultural lives.

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An exhibition for the curious from all walks of life

If you're passionate about the plastic arts, experimental forms and the richness of diverted materials, this is the show for you. You'll particularly appreciate this exhibition if you like to discover poetic universes, where art tells both the intimate and the universal. It's an ideal outing to share with the whole family, thanks to the visual and accessible nature of the works, but also an ideal time to visit as a couple or with culture-loving friends.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a purely decorative exhibition or one geared towards functional contemporary design, this tour won't meet your expectations. Here, it's not a question of finding sublimated utilitarian objects, but of plunging into a world where textiles become a tool of resistance, emotion and transmission.

A constellation of singular artists

Among the 36 designers on show, you'll encounter worlds as diverse as those of Barbara d'Antuono, Nicole Bayle, Philippe Pons, Marie-Rose Lortet, Jacques Trovic and Brankica Žilovič. All take a personal approach to textiles, exploring their uses in clothing, decoration and sculpture, turning them into a veritable medium for the imagination.

This plurality of voices composes a mosaic of stories where traditions, detour and innovations intersect. The thread, whether embroidered, woven or knotted, becomes the common thread of a collective exploration that redefines our relationship with the material. You'll be led to perceive textiles as a universal language, capable of transcending time and borders.