Ame

Once an integral part of everyday life in France, basketry is tending to disappear. At the same time, our country is experiencing a large-scale increase in the number of elderly people and the cemeteries in large cities are overcrowded.

Faced with this twofold problem, Laëtitia devised a way to revive this traditional know-how and use it for new funeral practices.
Âme is a craft workshop that offers funeral urns in the image of the deceased. These containers are woven by a local basket maker, from plants gleaned from nature. Family and friends can participate in the creation of the urn, alongside the basket maker or on their own. The biodegradable urn is designed to be buried in the middle of forests or gardens.

"Passionate about the rich and ancestral craft of basketry, Laetitia Gérard has long observed this art of woven fiber, very present in her family. The simplicity of the manufacturing process and the durability of the products created appealed to her.

With her Ame (Soul) project, she combines the durability and beauty of basketry with the world of mourning. Her approach aims to encourage a new revival of this craft which has been in decline since the 1950s. By supporting the promotion of this know-how and its transmission on a territorial scale, she is helping to revitalize the art of weaving plant fibers.

This project proposes to put the know-how of basketry at the service of secular funeral ceremonies in the form of a series of woven fiber urns. These urns respond to a strong demand from users, who are looking for an object with a strong emotional symbol. Indeed, the woven urn reflects the immutable values of sustainability and circular economy. The result is an alliance of ethical, aesthetic, poetic and environmentally friendly choices." Anaïs Jacquard - Teaching Manager Master City Design