Dis-moi dix mots... à la folie,
édition 2015-2016
A partnership between Institut français and Tate based on the ‘Concours
des dix mots’, initiated by the French Ministry of Education and which
aims at celebrating the French language
BP Art Exchange and the French Ministry of Education would like to invite you to participate in an exciting initiative exploring Art
and Language.
Les dix mots à la folie is a project initiated by the French Ministry of Education and the aim of this annual initiative is for classes
to create a collective literary and artistic piece of work responding to a selection of 10 French words.
The words from the 2015-2016 edition show the ability of the French language to evolve, adapt, transform, reinvent and enrich
itself over time. Therefore, the choice for these 10 words highlights the capacity of the French language to welcome the most
unexpected verbal inventions, illustrating Victor Hugo’s maxim “A language does not become fixed. The human intellect is always
on the march, or, if you prefer, in movement, and languages with it.”
For inspiration, you can visit your local gallery, browse the Tate online digitised collection or use this power point as a reference
point for creating works in response to one or more of the 10 words: chafouin(ine), lumerotte, dracher, ristrette, fada, vigousse,
Ouf Timbré, Tohu-bohu, Zigzag
If you would like to participate in this project, register at bpartexchange.tate.org.uk and join the Dix Mots group. Upload the
works that your students have created to share them with others.
A panel of judges from the French Institute will meet on 15th March to select the three most interesting submission to be
featured on Tate website. For more information about the project Dix Mots à la folie please visit the website:
www.dismoidixmots.culture.fr
Please note that for copyright reasons the art works included in this power point can only be used as a point of reference or an
inspiration, but cannot be reproduced in any way or form.
CHAFOUIN(INE) noun and adjective
Used in France. Older person with sneaky demeanor. Currning, sly.
Donald Rodney
How the West was Won 1982
© The estate of Donald Rodney
LUMEROTTE noun, feminine
Used in Belgium. Light source with low intensity. Hollowed vegetable (beet, squash,
pumpkin, etc) that is pierced to emit light.
JMW Turner
The Garreteer’s Petition 1948
© Tate
LUMEROTTE noun, feminine
Used in Belgium. Light source with low intensity. Hollowed vegetable (beet, squash,
pumpkin, etc) that is pierced to emit light.
Martin Creed
The lights going on and off
2000
Photo: Tate Photography
© Martin Creed
DÉPANNEUR noun, masculine.
Used in Quebec. Small shop with late opening times. Food and other general items are
among the goods sold.
John Piper
Photograph of a roadside convenience store in Worcester
1948
© The Piper Estate
DRACHER Verb impersonal
Used in Belgium. Heavy, torrential rain.
Willie Doherty
The Bridge 1992
© Willie Doherty
RISTRETTE noun, masculin
Used in Switzerland. Small, strong coffee made in a percolator steam (from the Italian
ristretto); in metaphorical sense, it is often linked with tight, limited time
Pierre Bonnard
Le Café 1915
© ADAGP, Paris and
DACS, London 2015
RISTRETTE noun, masculin
Used in Switzerland. Small, strong coffee made in a percolator steam (from the Italian
ristretto); in metaphorical sense, it is often linked with tight, limited time
Christian Marclay
The Clock 2010
(installation shot)
© Christian Marclay
Courtesy White Cube,
London and Paula Cooper
Gallery, New York
FADA noun and adjective
Used in France. A little crazy, crazy.
Gillian Wearing OBE
I have been certified as mildly insane
1992-3
© Gillian Wearing, courtesy Maureen
Paley/Interim Art, London
FADA noun and adjective
Used in France. A little crazy, crazy.
Edward Ruscha
I PLEAD INSANITY BECAUSE I’M JUST
CRAZY ABOUT THAT LITTLE GIRL
1976
© Ed Ruscha
VIGOUSSE adjective
Used in Switzerland. Vigorous, lively, fully of life. Strong, robust, resistant (animal, plant).
Umberto Boccioni
Unique Forms of Continuity in Space
(Forme uniche della continuità nello spazio)
1913, cast 1972
© Tate
VIGOUSSE adjective
Used in Switzerland. Vigorous, lively, fully of life. Strong, robust, resistant (animal, plant).
Cy Twombly
Untitled (Bacchus)
2008
© Cy Twombly Foundation
CHAMPAGNÉ masculin noun
Used in Congo. Person of influence with many relationships.
Richard Hamilton
Towards a definitive statement
On the coming trends in menswear
and accessories (a) Together let
us explore the stars 1962
© The estate of Richard Hamilton
TAP-TAP masculin noun.
Used in Haiti. Small rapid car.
Giacomo Balla
Abstract Speed – The Car has
Passed (Velocità astratta –
l'auto è passata) 1913
© DACS, 2015
POUDRERIE feminine noun.
Used in Quebec. Snow storm, blizzard.
Anish Kapoor
As if to Celebrate, I Discovered a
Mountain Blooming with Red Flowers
1981
© Anish Kapoor
Please note that for copyright reasons the artworks included in this
presentation can only be used as a point of reference or an inspiration,
but cannot be reproduced in any way or form.
Please do not upload them to the BP Art Exchange website.
Contacts
Language Attaché: [email protected]
Key contact: Luisa Ulyett, Assistant Curator BP Art Exchange
[email protected]
BP Art Exchange: [email protected]
Convenor BP Art Exchange: Annie Bicknell
Assistant Curator BP Art Exchange: Fran Laws