We discuss with those who keep La Borne alive

Marie David Géhin new generation of potter and ceramist

YOUR INSTALLATION AT THE TERMINAL, AN EVIDENCE?
MARIE DAVID GEHIN : More than obvious, a wish so strong that I was going to do everything possible to achieve it. In 2017, I had a real crush on the village and its inhabitants. It absolutely had to happen! I come from Belgium, I came to La Borne to do a training course with Dominique Legros, already with this desire to invest the place! 2019 was the year of my discovery of fire and wood cooking. I had the chance to meet Mr. Lerat who offered to take over his parents' studio at the end of the year to put my suitcases there and make it my studio. Heavy work was carried out, as one can imagine, from a workshop that had been empty for 60 years. Extra pressure when you think about the notoriety of the name! Planetary alignment has brought me luck! I was able to settle in quickly. What I really like here is the mix between the community of life and work, we all have the same codes while doing different things.

YOU ARE PART OF THE NEW GENERATION, A NEW WAVE OF POTTERS AT THE BORNE, HOW DO YOU EXPLORE IT?
MDG : Alright ! My installation of the city in the countryside exceeds all my fantasies. During the year 2020, an informal collective was set up around the young ceramists living in La Borne and in October, we organized an exhibition of our work during the Grands Feux 2020, around the Beyer kiln, in my studio. A brilliant experience, the older generation propels us, helps us… we also benefit from the notoriety of those who built!
All the young people cook with wood and I joined the construction team of the Girel 3E ovens. I'm also building a new oven next to my workshop with Christophe Léger, one of the young people (laughs)!
WHAT ARE YOUR INSPIRATION?
MDG: I have been developing my production for two years. I use techniques other than turning, such as modeling or pinching, for example. I love the vibrations of pinched bowls, I really like everyday utilitarian objects but always in unique pieces. I feel like I'm only at the beginning of my journey, I want to look for new shapes, other styles… I can't wait!

BEYER-LERAT WORKSHOP 18250 LA BORNE
instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/mariedavidgehin/
Email: hello@mariedavidgehin.com

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU THE MOST TO COME TO CREATE LES JARDINS DE MALA À LA BORNE?
PAUL MASSON: It is a village that knows how to combine simple life and great art. That is all its charm. Anyone who does not know how to look, misses it. Many of the guests we have welcomed to Les Jardins de Mala since March regret leaving too soon. We hope to make them want to come back!

ARE YOU DISCOVERING A NEW WAY OF LIFE HERE, AMONGST POTTERY AND CERAMISTS?
PM : Oh yes ! We have found a way of life that knows how to take the time for human relationships. In this small piece of countryside, solidarity circuits are active and then culture is everywhere. In my life before, I had everything at hand, but time for nothing. Here, I slow down. I play sports, I spend time in the forest, I visit exhibitions and to go to one of the two excellent restaurants in the village, I just have to cross the street. My job is to cook and meet lots of interesting people. It's a real reconnection.
YOUR GREATEST PRIDE CONCERNING YOUR NEW LIFE?
PM : Having managed to make a lot of friends in record time. And get through this troubled time with a project as a compass. We seek to develop responsible tourism and want to transmit, through courses or the breakfasts we serve, a concept of cuisine that nourishes the body, the mind and respects the planet.

HOW DID THE IDEA OF THIS SINGULAR PLACE, LA BELLE VERTE, COME?
Marie-Laure Cantuel : La Belle Verte is above all a family project that began in 2017. That is to say that here, it is also our private garden. I am with my two sons, one in service and the other in the kitchen. My daughter takes care of the communication. It's a real pleasure to share that with them on a daily basis, I want them to be happy. I have been living in La Borne for a long time and there was a lack of a place where you could easily meet around a table on the go. La Belle Verte is a little paradise between the undergrowth and the garden, where passers-by and locals come to drink coffee, eat a toast, an ice cream, rest, take a nap, they are confident and welcomed. with smile. We are open during the summer period from May to September, as soon as the weather is nice, every day from 12 p.m. to 22 p.m., except Thursday.

WHAT IS THE MOST MOTIVATING DAILY?
MLC : The smiles. The disconnect. We only see that and it's a pure pleasure! We don't do a lot of communication and we want to preserve this family place. We see people relaxed, the relational is important, for us as for them. It's give and take. The locals come a lot, it's a source of pride to be able to bring the world together. The village of La Borne is certainly small, but we have an important resonance, there are even customers who come from Paris just for my son's mint ice cream! (laughs)
YOU HAVE A PRETTY CARD, DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE?
MLC : Yes, it is simple, tasty and with good products. There are hot sandwiches, cakes, cold drinks, ice cream, organic tea, coffee… and local wines! As a small suggestion, even if it's difficult, I advise you to taste the Auvergne toast, in memory of my roots, made from Cantal, Fourme d'Ambert, dried tomatoes and country ham. A delight!

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