L'Esprit De La Main
Art et Artisanat
Lars Hansare
L'Esprit De La Main - Art et Artisanat is the third book that Lars Hansare ha written or collaborated on.
His previous book was an award winning elegant look at one of the worlds most revered culinary delights, the Oyster and once again Lars keeps his subject close to his home and heart.
This book is about looking at what we take for granted.
When we live somewhere we become complacent. We miss the everyday life and its beauty that is there for visitors to see and marvel.
Lars Hansare has a background in photography and film spanning some 40 years and working for such companies as Ikea.
When out in the local villages and towns near to his home he took pictures of a shoemaker.
A chance meeting in Caux took him to the local blacksmith and from here he re-opened his eyes to the sights of the Artists and the Craftsmen and women that surround us in everyday life.
L'Esprit De La Main is a book of memories as well as a documentary of life and craft in rural France.
The book itself is well laid out, starting with a history of Arts and Craft. From here he moves into individual Craftsmen and women, showing a history of their craft before illustrating with superb imagery and occasional watercolours from his wife, the artist Jane Hansare their work, their working practises and where they work.
The author genuinely appears to marvel at the creativity of the individuals and at times the photographs are more powerful than the text and this allows the book to give a visual instruction into the skills honed at times through generations.
The section on Fabrice Lasserre, a cooper (maker of barrels) is a visual display in its own right of a craft that is surviving across borders and time and is informative but also a history lesson. The images take you to medievel times.
Eric Lindgren, a glass blower, gives a section that is so simplistic and easy to aspire to that it is only when you see the image at the end of two beautifully hand crafted glasses created in this ancient craft that you step back and marvel at the skills that have been shared with you.
From potters to blacksmiths, jewellers to milleners and hatters the book has no guidelines, just a wish to show that Arts and Craft is an enchanting and inspiring world.
Reading at 147 pages, the book is well produced, written and published and a good idea is the fact that names and addresses for all the people featured is included for you to visit or contact.
The book is a valuable insight into the locale of Pezenas (although it does go farther afield) and is a wonderful reminder of a visit to the area but is also a history of Arts and Crafts and the care and skill that these individuals share with us.
Lars Hansare lives in Castelnau de Guers with his wife. He is a photographer, film maker and writer
To buy this book please email jl.hansare@orange.fr quoting L.A.
L'Esprit De La Main
ISBN 978-2-917252-32-1 Euro 25.00
Language: French