Exhibition June 3rd - July 30th 2023 “Saint-Emilion en fête” June 3rd & 4th 2023 

Les Caves Natures, 28 rue Guadet Saint-Emilion, France

Audrey Bakx’s work on the theme of plants is strongly inspired by her experience in the world of wine, and in particular by what she observes and experiences through the family estate Clos Monicord, in Vérac, in the Libourne region, 20km away from Saint-Emilion, which she manages with her father.

All the works presented in the Caves Natures show a link between the elements of the vineyard and allude to the subject of biodynamic viticulture.

Some of her works have been used to design Clos Monicord’s wine labels she has been creating for the last twenty years.

Biodynamic agriculture is “holistic, regenerative and positive”. It emerged at the turn of the century and is based on a series of lectures given by Rudolf Steiner, a spiritualist philosopher and anthroposophist. Steiner drew much of his inspiration from the philosophy of Kant and Goethe.

This type of agriculture involves taking into account the solar and lunar calendars and using preparations based on medicinal plants, silica and cow dung. In order to provide people with healthy food, it is essential to recreate a harmonious relationship with nature, and this is why biodynamic agriculture makes the soil and plants receptive to the influences of heaven and earth.

 

Nothing is lost, everything is transformed

Six drawings, Indian ink and Ecoline on paper

6 x (40x50cm)

“Nothing is lost, everything is transformed”, a series of six drawings representing plants (garlic, nettle, horsetail, sage, willow, valerian) that we use in our decoctions and herbal teas. The drawing of each plant was associated with a text. These words recall both the real names of the plants and their Latin names, as well as combining syllables to create imaginary names.

These words have a playful resonance and echo the many ridiculous or outlandish names invented by the

phytosanitary industry. It’s a nod to a form of agriculture that advocates biodiversity and respect for the environment in contrast to a conventional agriculture.

Individu 1978

Hanging sculpture

Rootstock and wax

Individu 1966

Hanging sculpture

Vine and raffia

“Individu 1978”, “Individu 1966”, hanging sculptures.

After the outbreak of phylloxera, a devastating vine disease that decimated European vineyards, vineyards had to be recreated to save the industry. In the 1980s, many wine nurserymen created crosses of vines that could produce more to compensate for the lack of plants. This resulted in the production of many vines with short-lived vines and a standardised taste. With the abundant sale and use of chemical weedkillers, vine stocks are unable to grow sustainably and deep in the soil.

I wanted to recreate new vine stocks from dead vine shoots, vines and rootstocks. Giving life to healthy individuals seems to me to be essential for the future.

Herbarium

Installation of 2 dried plants and ink drawings on paper

Variable dimensions

“Herbarium”, installation of dried plants and ink drawings on paper.

By observing and drawing the plants present in the vineyard, I wanted to give them an important place, by recreating a kind of herbarium. Here, nettle and garlic are highlighted.

The two plants chosen are represented partially or entirely and delicately installed so that they can be dissected as a botanist or botanical illustrator would.

Chêne Vert

Drawing, ink and Ecoline on paper

10x10cm

Chêne Vert 1, 2 et 3

Three drawings, ink and Ecoline on paper

3 drawings, 52x72cm

“Chêne vert 1, 2 et 3”, a series of three ink drawings on paper.

At an exhibition in the church of Saint-Cybard in Vérac, just a stone’s throw from Clos Monicord, I presented a series of drawings reminiscent of the heart of the village in which our vineyards are located. The drawings highlight the importance of the trees on the estate. The oak is a symbol of longevity, strength, and wisdom. It is a key player in biodiversity.

Fagot de ceps

Sculpture

Weeds, rice straw, rope, wax

“Individu 1978”, “Individu 1966”, hanging sculptures.

After the outbreak of phylloxera, a devastating vine disease that decimated European vineyards, vineyards had to be recreated to save the industry. In the 1980s, many wine nurserymen created crosses of vines that could produce more to compensate for the lack of plants. This resulted in the production of many vines with short-lived vines and a standardised taste. With the abundant sale and use of chemical weedkillers, vine stocks are unable to grow sustainably and deep in the soil.

I wanted to recreate new vine stocks from dead vine shoots, vines and rootstocks. Giving life to healthy individuals seems to me to be essential for the future.

Le Parfait Vigneron – Almanach Lunaire indispensable

Ink and pigments on paper - Numbered limited edition

65x50cm

« Le Parfait Vigneron – Almanach lunaire indispensable » : “The Perfect Winegrower - An essential lunar almanac.”

While researching and digging through books, I decided to take up the subject of the Moon and create an almanac for the perfect winegrower, published in a limited edition and numbered from 1 to 10.

Passed on since several civilizations, farmers and the great masters of biodynamics have practiced agriculture according to the lunar cycle. You can be sensitive to this or not. You may or may not want to believe in it.

The fact is that the lunar cycle influences our lives, our plants and in particular vines. The moon goes by many names and shines in a thousand colors. It remains the inspiration for many artists. You only have to think back to poems or songs... The moon makes us dream. That’s why we’ll remember the importance of the work and explorations of Neil Armstrong and Thomas Pesquet...

Out of the pocket

Ink on paper - Private Collection

Pocket lunar almanac and figurine in a plexiglass box.

When life gives you grapes, make wine

Poster

A0 print

« When life gives you grapes, make wine », poster.

This image was used for the 2018 series of wine labels and is an ode to nature and the moon. The awareness of what Nature can give us and the work done at the right time and in a favorable environment is at the heart of our concerns. I hope that working on this theme can serve as a humble reminder of who we are and what we want and can consume.

Blue Moon, Black Moon, Lune Rousse, Lune des fraises

Drawing 65x50cm

Dry pastel on paper

Four interpretations of moons in dry pastel.

The red moon corresponds to the lunation following Easter, generally occurring between mid-April and mid-May. The blue moon is an extra full moon that occurs when a year has 13 full moons, instead of the usual 12. The adjective “blue” does not mean, however, that the moon takes on a particular hue during the phenomenon.

The black moon refers to the absence of a full moon in a calendar month (which can only occur in February) or the second new moon in the same month.

The strawberry moon is the nickname given to the full moon in June. This is the period when strawberries are harvested just before summer.

Mirer, humer, grumer

Indian ink drawings

Frames 13x18 cm and 15x15 cm

T-shirts S / M / L print on textile

Some of the drawings in this series were used for the labelling of the 2021 vintage of Clos Monicord. The collection of labels recalls the fundamental stages of wine tasting: observing, smelling, turning the glass, tasting, aerate and tasting again.

The visuals have also been used to print T-shirts.