Pierre of Caen & Water

Permanences, crossings, Norman legacies

This artistic and cultural project proposes, through a contemporary art exhibition, to rediscover the Caen stone from a sensitive perspective, highlighting the deep connections it has with water, maritime flows, and exchanges between Normandy and Europe.

Originating from the Jurassic seabeds about 165 million years ago, the Caen stone retains a remarkable geological memory. From the 11th century onwards, it also became a major vector for the spread of Norman influence. Extracted from the Caen region, it traveled by river and then by sea to many territories. It can notably be found in the grand buildings constructed in England after the conquest of 1066, and later in Ireland from the 12th century, where its presence is still attested in several heritage sites in County Wexford.

Building on this history of material and movement, the exhibition brings together contemporary works made from Caen stone, pigments, mineral materials, water, and sound devices. It explores the notions of memory, circulation, transmission, and heritage, creating a dialogue between geological time, human history, and maritime landscapes.

The exhibition unfolds in two phases: from April 8 to April 25, 2027, at the Old Saint-Sauveur Church in Caen, and then from July 2 to August 29, 2027, at Enniscorthy Castle Museum, in County Wexford, Ireland. This journey symbolically extends the historical route of Caen stone across the Irish Sea.

Through its transnational dimension, the project highlights a shared heritage between Normandy and Ireland and offers a contemporary reading of the ties that have united these territories for several centuries. At the intersection of contemporary art, history, and heritage, "Caen Stone & Water" invites a renewed perspective on a material that, for nearly a thousand years, connects shores and memories.

Practical information: 
All audiences
Access to the exhibition is included in the entrance fee for the castle (€10). One free day per week.
Contact

Cooperation France / Ireland
Partnerships: Enniscorthy Castle, Wexford County Council, Wexford-Normandy Cultural Association, City of Caen