Explore the crazy world of the Jesters, these professional jokers «wise fools », outsiders and ambiguous characters who, since the Middle Ages, have made people laugh and who still fascinate today.
Folly is their playground. During the last millennium, they were known under different names: King's fools, servants, clowns... the Jesters have invaded our imaginary and in particular the world of Carnival.
Their symbols and old practices have survived in the European mascarades where excess and satire rule. Carnival is their kingdom!
Travelling through more than thousand years of history, the exhibition «Jesters» explores the particular paths of these avatars of Folly by making you discover a number of different worlds.
From the costumes to the accessories, from iconography to sound portraits, from the masks to the puppets - this exploratory exhibition trail also raises the question of the Jester's role in our society. What's his purpose? Could we do without him? Who are today's Jesters?
The exhibition is conceived to appeal both to children, who will have the opportunity to learn and discover things in a playful way, and to a more expert public interested in old artworks, history and sociology.
From materials that can be touched to puppet theatre and the creation of slogans to distorting mirrors, a particularly playful trail awaits young and old.
