ROAMING RESEARCH
MÉDITERRANÉE

The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris is currently presenting the exhibition Au fil de l'or, l'art de se vêtir de l'Orient au Soleil-Levant. It explores the use of gold in textile art through a geographical and historical journey. Three thematic bubbles present silks reminiscent of the color of gold, including sea silk or "byssus".

This filament, secreted by molluscs to cling to rocks, is the focus of theITINÉRANCE MÉDITERRANÉE, HERITAGE & CULTURE 2021-2023 grant. Since ancient times, byssus has been a noble material used in the clothing of Mediterranean civilizations.

Craftswomen obtained very light, soft and shiny fabrics. At the time, sea silk garments were reserved exclusively for the nobility. Today, mussel byssus, destined to be a waste product, is becoming an interesting resource for artists, designers and engineers...

For more information: https: //itinerance.org/