A Research institute in :
- the techniques of bell casting and making.
- museum collections.
- history and ethnology.
- bell customs and traditions.
"Jacquemart"
Lavaur (France)
The Midi-Pyrenees region began its research on
the bell in 1980 when the Regional Public Institution decided to finance a project for the
protection and restoration of bells and carillons in the region.
This research was pursued on a national level through
contacts with museums which had objects in this area and professional organizations such
as foundries, bell-ringer associations and carillon players.
It has expanded and developed on an international level
through the collaboration of researchers, historians, ethnologists, master bell founders,
museum curators, bell ringers and carillon players of the countries of the European
Community, for the needs, in particular, of the European Audio-visual Bell Fund.
It has already oriented itself toward other
civilizations and other cultures in Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America in two areas :
on the technical level in regard to the actual making of objects and on the traditional
level in regard to use. The European Bell Museum in L’Isle-Jourdain bears witness to
this interest.
Researchers and students may now use the Research
Department of the European Bell Institute and enrich it with their own works.
A Counseling Board for :
- identification of objects.
- the putting together of collections.
- the restoration by public organizations of their bell
heritage.
"The Empty Chair of the
Bell-ringer"
which threatens the bell throughout Europe;
the disappearance of a collective memory and of a know-how
for the handing down of customs and traditions.
The studies for the restoration
of carillons and belfries and the participation in the realization of such work for over
more than ten years in numerous towns throughout the Midi-Pyrenees region authorizes us to
advise and counsel organizations concerned with the protection of their bell heritage.
Counsel can be provided for the
preparation of files, the choice of contributors and the methods of restoration adapting
new needs to the history and tradition of the site.
In addition, the skill of internationally renown bell experts affiliated with the
Institute allows for assistance in identifying objects, bells, crotals, cattle bells and
all other bell-related objects wished to be placed under examination by museum curators,
collectors or simple bell enthusiasts.
Public organizations wishing to set up a temporary or
permanent exhibition of this type of object can benefit from this same expertise and
counsel.
All initiatives aimed at developing the art of the bell
be they by the creation of collection or by the restoration or creation of carillons, will
be encouraged and supported in France and throughout Europe.
It is a question, in any case, of our
holding on to the symbol of life which is the bell.
An Institute of Intervention for :
- expertise, scientific follow-ups.
- restoration and modernization.
- new implements, contemporary art and new technology.
"Marie"
Creation of the Paccard foundry
of an iconographic bell by the contemporary painter André Brasilier
for the cathedral of Toulouse
(France)
The European Bell Institute can, upon request
from any organization or public or private group, take on the supervision of restoration
work in the bell-related field. Those interested therefore benefit from the experience of
experts and technicians as well as from the professional contacts that the European
network brings with it.
This work supervision is concerned with supplying bells
and accessories intended for their use : yokes, ringing and electrification elements,
electronic automation … modification and restoration of the church tower or steeple
remains the responsibility of the organization.
The Institute can even recommend any innovative or
artistic technique, take on the implementation of new technologies or take the necessary
steps to bring in contemporary artists for the ornamentation of the bells, for example to
celebrate an exceptional event.
Expertise relative to particularly rare bell-related
objects requiring in-depth research is carried out by the campanologists of the Institute
and is considered service provisions.
The Institute for meetings and international exchange
with :
- French institutes.
- Cultural services of embassies and consulates.
- universities.
- researchers, historians and ethnologists.
- bell founders, bell ringers and carillon players.
Hand bell concert
By the Daya Marshall ensemble
1982 L’Isle-Jourdain (France)
One of the goals of the European Bell Institute
is to establish and to multiply exchanges with public and private partners and to share
objectives with them. Such programmes have existed for many years for professionals,
master bell casters, bell ringers and carillon players. Another goal is to favour meetings
between researchers and specialists, most often isolated in their region or country or
within scholarly societies, universities or museums.
The bell touches on history, ethnology, music, founding techniques. What is present on
all continents allows for comparison on a large scale in regard to work and material. The
exchanges multiply interest and can create new vocations for students concerned with
better knowing this aspect of their cultural heritage.
The French institutes, cultural services of embassies and consulates who have always
welcomed our research efforts can also be, in Europe and in the world, privileged meeting
sites for special events.
An institute of promotion with :
- the European Audiovisual fund.
- publication of books and catalogues.
- photograph archives.
- bell cassettes.
- organization of exhibitions, symposia and congresses.
The bust of San Paolino
Feast of the lilies, Nola (Italy)
The European Audio-visual Art of the Bell Fund
was the first international tool intended to let people discover through sound and picture
the diverse characteristics of the bell in the countries of the European Community. This
has been done by means of audio-visual documents for each country. The short films deal
with both memory and prospective.
French and European television stations will be approached so that the general public
can have access to these documents – particularly children – in the context of
educational television.
At the same time, the European Bell Institute publishes its own works, both books and
booklets, and has a library capable of being expanded by any document intended for
consultation. It also features sound and photographic archives and its own audio-visual
documents, all of which can be consulted on the spot.
In addition, the European Bell Institute organizes its own exhibitions and symposia.
It was created to assure a better knowledge and understanding of this
heritage, which is the universal art of the bell. |
