Expo : l’En Vert du Gille

Expo : l’En Vert du Gille

And what would we obtain if we recycled Gille costumes and their accessories ? The project  « L’En Vert du Gille » (envers = reverse side ; vert = green), organised by the departement of Applied arts of the Haute Ecole Francisco Ferrer (Brussels) puts a spotlight on the intangible heritage of the town of Binche while promoting circular economy in order to give a second life to the Gille costumes. 

The Binche carnival is an inexhaustable source of inspiration which artists can make use of to express their visions. This project is a magnificent example, particularly at times when over-consumption prompts us to reflect on new ways of acting. The idea of upcycling the Gille costume as well as its accessories is especially smart as in Binche the costumes are only worn during two or three carnival seasons. The goal of the project was to create awareness about the notion of eco-responsibility among the students, but also to initiate them to the history or Belgian folklore and to incite them to take a fresh look at their research and creation process. 

The students’ creations allow us to re-examine our own traditions, to look at them from a new, different point of view. They have shown creativity and ingenuity, upsetting accepted codes, reflecting on our view on the heritage of Binche, by integrating in some of their works elements from other cultures (for example African culture) and by questioning in others the relation between gender and the woman’s place within the carnivals.