Terra, a month-long event that seeks to connect the worlds of art and wine, is now open for its second year, this time across three beautiful historic private buildings in and around Beaune. The idea of the event was born when curator Jenn Ellis met Milena Berman in London. At the time, Berman, a Californian with an art background, was living in Burgundy and London, advising galleries about which wines to pair with art works. The two quickly got along and their conversation culminated in Ellis visiting Berman in Burgundy. It became clear to both that the wonderful, historic buildings of Burgundy needed an art event and the time to run it was between the end of Art Paris Basel and the Hospices de Beaune auction.
The name Terra, a play on the word terroir, situates the exhibition in an ideal at the heart of Burgundian winemaking. This was a conscious choice by the founders to provide safe passage into the more challenging ideas of contemporary art and there is a genuine hope that Terra will gently tease open minds in one of the most traditional regions of France.
The name Terra, a play on the word terroir, situates the exhibition in an ideal at the heart of Burgundian winemaking
This year’s edition takes visitors on a sensory journey through three concepts with the magnificent private settings providing cultural and historical juxtaposition. There is ‘storytelling’ at Château de Chevigny en Valière, ‘intimacy’ at La Maison de Pommard, former home of winemaker Hubert de Montille, and ‘liminality’ at The Résidence de Moyne-Blandin. The latter, an 18th-century townhouse currently closed to the public, is owned by 67 Pall Mall and will soon undergo transformation into its Beaune clubhouse. The glorious autumnal Burgundian vineyards provide a magical back drop.
At Château de Chevigny en Valière, Dahn Vho’s deceptively simple work 2.2.1861 is situated on a music stand in the theatre of the vast Napoleonic château. A transcription by his father of a letter in French, one which he could transcribe but couldn’t understand, is the last communication from the Catholic Saint Théophane Vénard to his own father before his execution in Vietnam. It poses questions about colonialism and the meaning of culture that are amplified by the grand context.
Ellis and Emie Diamond have not only curated the exhibition but in some instances acted as midwives to art works. When I asked Ellis how she confronted the problem of curating 48 artists pieces about terroir in three unfamiliar historic spaces, she modestly replied, ‘I just see it as a big puzzle to solve’ and there is a sense that in her mind every angle is covered.
This year, the team decided to avoid ‘monosyllabic curation’ – choices by one person – and opted for an ‘open call’ asking artists to respond to the idea of terroir. Remarkably, more than 300 artists responded and ten were ultimately selected, with their work supplementing pieces from established artists and loans from galleries.
The art will be celebrated over a series of events and dinners where locals and visitors to the region will come together. At the gala dinner, wine makers present included event supporters Catharina Sadde, Jeremy and Dian Seysses, Jean Marc Roulot and Charles Lachaux, who shared their wine (art) with the guests, including Domaine Chavy-Chouet Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseigneres 2022 in magnum and Domaine Faiveley Gevery-Chambertain Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2018.
Viewings of the exhibition can be made by appointment. Terra runs until 17 November, the weekend of the Hospices de Beaune auction.
Scroll down for a selection of images taken of the artwork in-situ at the three buildings used for the Terra exhibition
