Nicolas Jorge exhibited large-scale, black and white images of the local Roanne Rugby Club – AS Roanne Rugby XV.

Over 1,500  people visited the exhibition over a 3-day period.

The images of this locally renowned photography depict moments before, during, and after various rugby matches, training, and occasions during 2009.

Beautifully captured in black and white, the images were varied with unusual, funny, and classic visual commentary surrounding this very popular game, both locally, nationally, and internationally throughout France. The sense of camaraderie and community is present in all of the many photographs displayed, many in very large format.

The entire show, over a 3 day period in Le Coteau, near Roanne, was held in a large, car showroom – ‘Espace Borgnat’. The presence of cars in conjunction with all the rugby images created an atmosphere of contemporary surrealism to the show.

It was an ideal venue with plenty of light, and passing public were attracted, and able to view through the large picture windows of the building.

Of course, in traditional French style there was music, food and wine, and the normal conviviality of visitors, friends, and rugby associates, and children enjoying the occasion.g

Copies of all images were available for sale, and the whole event marked the end of the 2009 rugby season with presentations to club members, trainers, and administrative personnel who have all contributed to the success of the Roanne Rugby Club during the year, and in particular for the training of the young players aged from 7 to 15 years.

A resounding success, this event may well be repeated again in 2010, and there is no doubt that Art and Photography mixes very well with the energy and impact of this historical game.     www.purefrancenow.com

For more news about Art and Rugby in the Roannais take a look at:

Art and Rugby Success in the Roannais!

Of course, here in the Roannais, Rhône-Alpes, anything is possible! The internationally popular, ‘rough and tumble’ of Rugby may by some, perhaps, be seen as a form of ‘art in sport’.

Well, in Roanne, in the Roannais region of the Rhône-Alpes, this fascinating combination became a surprising reality during a special event in November this year.

Rugby in Roanne has quite a long and eventful history, and the locals support their team with demonstrable commitment.

France is certainly a country committed to the game.

Children, too, are encouraged to take part at an early age, and there are many local, communal ‘Ecoles de Rugby’ (Rugby Schools) which are self-funding, and run by dedicated local volunteers who offer their rugby experience, and much time to help thousands of children all over France have fun playing this popular national game.

Always in need of additional funds to support this activity, Roanne Rugby Association (ASR Rugby XV) had agreed to hold an Art Event. This was the ‘brain-child’ of our friend Fabrice Merceret, one of the club’s volunteer trainers and promotion organisers.

The idea was for both professional and amateur artists, and children, too, to paint a rugby ball (In fact, anyone could contribute! If they had the inclination, that is!)

The balls would be placed on show as exhibits to create local interest, and to be auctioned off during a two-day exhibition in the centre of Roanne. All in order to stimulate additional funds for the club.

Brian Franklin from Purefrancenow also decided to contribute, along with his 8 year old son Ellis, and John Clough, a friend from England.

Ellis is a fully-fledged member of the club in Roanne, and trains regularly with all the ‘boys’ and has already played in several regional rugby tournaments. One even held in Lyon!

Ellis really enjoys the camaraderie, and it is good exercise and fun, of course. So the whole event was ‘close to home’ and relevant, as well as extremely interesting, and a chance to see some of the local Roannais, professional artists getting involved.

On a personal note, Brian’s wife, Lucy, takes the story from here, and comments: ” Brian had originally hoped that by getting our son, Ellis to help out with painting a rugby ball he would be able to take a bit of pressure off himself – no such luck!

Having created a design along with our enthusiastic 8 year-old, Fabrice arrived with yet another rugby ball, so that Brian would be able to do one all on his own.

So, along with another friend in England, John Clough, who had sent a decorated ball over to France specially for the event, Brian eventually submitted 3 artworks, or should I say, ” works of art” to be exhibited at the ‘Espace Congrés de Roanne’.

The exhibition and reception took place on a Friday evening, and we all went along to take a ‘look’ before the auction commenced on the Saturday.

It was brilliant!

We were all amazed at all the different, and extraordinary ideas

that the various artists (professional and amateur) had created

around the simple, basic rugby ball.

Some were either painted, or appliqué, and some had, incredibly, been cut apart and recreated to form amazing sculptural and constructed items – from space ships to a working ‘face’ lamp, from musical instruments to ‘planets’.

The ideas seemed endless, and it was with great satisfaction that we saw that many people had come to take a look, and marvel at the patience and originality of the various creations. Several from locally and regionally famous artists.

There were over 60 rugby balls on display (although some of them seemed to have fantastically metamorphosed into things beyond the recognition of the original rugby ball itself!).

When the actual auction took place the exhibition and reception room was abuzz with over 200 people present. Everybody was waiting in excited anticipation for the auction to commence. Our son, Ellis, was enthralled, chomping at the bit to make a bid.

He was determined to come home with a ball. It was all that we could to contain him, and stopping him from putting his hands as the bids progressed. Prices for some of the rugby balls were going for well above 100 euros. One, in fact, reaching a final bid of 460 euros! So you can understand our wish to tie Ellis’s hands behind his back!

We were fascinated to see the price that different balls were sold for. It wasn’t always obvious which ones people would pay the most for. In fact, some of my favourites went for a mere 30-40 euros (even those of some of the more well-known, and capable local artists). It all added up, however, and continued to build up the ‘pot’ for the rugby club.

I am very proud to say that Brian’s painted ball raised 55 euros, Ellis’s 30 euros, and John’s a further 30 euros. The British Artists did our country’s creative reputation proud!!

It was all a total success, and a very enjoyable event. Fabrice was relieved and congratulated, of course, for all his efforts. We have since heard that the rugby ball auction raised well over 4000 euros. Excellent!

I think even I might put my artistic talents to the test next time!”

www.purefrancenow.com

Yes we're here in France, and have been watching all the action every morning.

I could not resist adding our congratulations here on the Purefrancenow 'Blog' and emphasising our support for all the British Team's very successful efforts. Well done!!

The best  British Olympic results for 100 years, and virtually every day a British gold medal being won.

Much to the chagrin of our French locals!

It makes a change that we have done so well on the Sporting World Stage this time.

19 Golds, 13 Silver, and 15 Bronze – 47 Olympic medals in total! Finishing in 4th position overall.

And remarkably, during most of the games we were in 3rd place, with China 1st and America 2nd.

Let's hope that we do just as well in the London Olympics 2012 !!

It has to be recorded for posterity, and, of course, it would be grossly remiss of me not to feature a Purefrancenow Blog on it – even though I have to admit that I do not have much of an inclination towards the event or the sport in general. I can, however, admire the stamina, the energy, the endurance, the ultimate physical challenge that this event requires of the contestants to compete. It is no doubt an incredible demonstration of man's ability to overcome distance, terrain, and time in a race against, not only other men, but himself.

The commitment shown by these cyclists is both beyond my comprehension or experience. I can only be amazed!

The spectacle, the colours, the speed, and the convulsions of the world media are particularly fascinating.

So, on Friday 25th July the Tour de France comes to Roanne with all its vim, verve, and commotion. I will be watching!!

Over 100,000 people are expected to be there at the start – Place des Promenades.

The media and publicty convoys alone, often stretches for 20 kilometres!

Roanne has been celebrating the accolade of being chosen for the start of the 19th stage in the Tour this year for the very first time with all sorts of events, displays, signage, buttings, graphics, etc.

There have been features of famous Roannais cyclists of the past, and the historical accounts of the early days of the Tour de France. – winners, losers, accidents, etc.

The whole town is abuzz with it all – restaurants, bars, shops all have something symbolising the Tour either on their menu or in their window displays – it is almost manic!

But, of course, it still has an underlying French understated and 'laid back' attitude about it all.

Some of the local publicity and newspapers have taken the opportunity to feature comparisons of Roanne's cyclists of 100 years ago with the modern day Tour de France.

The emphasis is on the fact that years ago before the first world war the bicycle was the main form of transport for the working man in Roanne (as in most places in Europe at that time), and that after the factories closed at the end of the day there were thousands of cyclists cluttering up the streets.

There is also much reference to the past, now defunct, bicycle-makers of the region.

25th July 2008 Yes, I'm now back after watching the Tour de France carnival in Roanne. A great occasion, and lots of fun! Even the roundabouts and roadsides are dedicated to the event with painted bicycles of all colours.

The publicity cavalcade is well worth watching, and great for the kids.

The images here give only a glimpse of the event in Roanne, and cannot truly describe the full atmosphere.

The cyclists, themselves, are really only just a small part of the 'fun' aspect of the event. They pass by very quickly within 10 seconds!!

Roanne has invested approx. 500,000 euros in staging this part of the Tour de France. Let's hope it is successful again next year, and may be involved in both finishing and starting a stage in 2009. 

Vive le Tour de France!!