Atelier 122 is a place shared between the theatre compagnie La Langue Ecarlate*, the cultural commission of the town of Gimont (Gers), Pass' à Jeux (toy library) and Thé Créatif (painting workshop) associations.
"This shared cultural space project was built a bit like a puzzle ... the pieces were there, they just had to be put together: above all, there was the will of the new municipality to develop a real cultural project, a wish to revitalize the heart of the city and the desire to respond to a real expectation of the local population in terms of cultural offer. There was also the will of the newely elected persons to continue the work started between the compagnie and the Pays Portes de Gascogne to set up the residence of the Compagnie La Langue Ecarlate in Gimont. The opportunity of this local at 122 rue Nationale accelerated the establishment of this partnership with the compagnie and the idea of creating this shared collective space dedicated to culture was born. This project will prefigure the cultural and artistic component of the future Third Place in the Hôtel de France ** once rehabilitated [...] Offering this rich, varied, innovative cultural offer and above all accessible to all means giving yourself every opportunity to succeed in getting people out of their homes, breaking the isolation of some, creating links between generations, associations, old and new locals, in short to promote “living together”. The cultural commission of the City of Gimont, the Compagnie La Langue Ecarlate and initially 2 associations from Gimont : Pass' à Jeux (toy library) and Thé Créatif (painting workshop) will organize workshops, conferences and various events offering a great diversity to all generations. Each visitor will be able to come and contemplate the works on display, discuss with the artists, take part in activities, internships or simply come and relax in the reading area dedicated particularly to creative hobbies, art, decoration and live performance. In these times of a pandemic where everything seems to be on hold, offering young and old residents a time to breathe, recharge their batteries, offer a real parenthesis conducive to dreams, escape, wonder becomes essential and beneficial. Many other uses or activities within Atelier 122 remain to be invented with the inhabitants and local associations.
Like a real experimentation laboratory available to everyone, Workshop 122 was designed for everyone but will only have real meaning if it works with everyone. "
* The Compagnie La Langue Ecarlate has been in existence for about twenty years. In particular, she has carried out participatory projects with very different audiences. "The New World" in Cologne is an example of a project led by LLE, a participatory construction of a theater using recycled materials. The company defends a conception of art as a tool of gathering and attempt. In Cologne, this attempt bore fruit and the company relies in particular on this experience for the Gimont residence.
** The Hotel de France is a former hotel and restaurant, located in the heart of the bastide of Gimont, closed for many years and abandoned. It is about to be rehabilitated by the City, the Community of Communes Coteaux Arrats Gimone, the Pays Portes de Gascogne and La Langue Ecarlate. With other partners, in particular the Tourism Office, this important set is intended to accommodate a Third Place (physical space to do together, the third place is a new place of social bond, emancipation and collective initiatives, according to a commonly accepted definition).
