Stone Rivers

Stone Rivers

Stone Rivers brings together an artistic performance and a film by artist Freya Marton, accompanied by lectures, residencies, and exhibitions. Marton presents a striking choreographic performance featuring intricately crafted medieval paper costumes, inspired by both Norman architecture and futuristic visions. The performances take place in castles and abbeys in Normandy and the United Kingdom. The program's concept is created by Alice Sharp (Invisible Dust, UK) and implemented as part of an international collaboration involving partners in Normandy and the UK.

“The Middle Ages is one of humanity's great eras of invention and constitutes the first industrial revolution in Europe.” (Jean Gimpel)

Stone Rivers explores the ingenuity of the Normans, highlighting the craftsmanship associated with the stone architecture of Caen and the river networks that transported materials and shaped European cultures and languages. Many iconic buildings in the UK—such as the Tower of London, castles like Chepstow, Corfe, Caernarfon, and Cardiff, as well as Westminster Abbey, Battle Abbey, and the cathedrals of Durham and Canterbury—were built by the Normans, with the assistance of French and local stonemasons, along with sites located in the Scilly Isles and Ireland.

These lasting structures illustrate both the aesthetic power and contemporary environmental relevance of stone construction. The project examines the resources and skills developed by the Normans, the dissemination of their techniques across territories, and how current climate challenges and renewable energy approaches rekindle interest in stone as a sustainable material. Stone lasts for thousands of years and has a significantly lower carbon footprint: about 10% of that of steel and 30% of that of concrete.

Stone Rivers also follows the networks of stone and river routes that allowed William the Conqueror to expand his influence. Stone is quarried near Caen, often sculpted on-site by skilled artisans, and then transported by boat across the English Channel and along rivers to many territories of the UK, from Wales to Berwick. In 1066, William arrives with a strategic vision based on stone construction, understanding that castles and cathedrals reinforce power and governance. In Wales, strong resistance shapes a landscape marked by numerous fortifications, with castles built on both sides of the border by Welsh and Norman forces.

Stone remains at the heart of architectural heritage and future sustainability issues. Its longevity, plastic qualities, and low environmental impact make it an essential material for contemporary construction. Norman sculptures and architectures continue to shape European landscapes, while restoration and conservation remain crucial. Through Stone Rivers, conferences engage experts and the public, while young generations are encouraged to develop heritage skills and pursue careers related to stone architecture.

The program demonstrates how these shared resources contribute to a transition towards a more sustainable European future, while strengthening ties between the UK and Europe. As part of the European Year of the Normans, Stone Rivers brings together artists, historians, scientists, and youth to participate in a new cultural momentum in Europe.

An artistic program between Normandy and the UK exploring the ingenuity and contemporary climatic relevance of Caen stone and architecture.

Practical Information

Contact: admin@invisibledust.com

Partners in Normandy: House of Architecture, Utopik Factory, National School of Architecture of Normandy
Partners in the UK: English Heritage, National Trust, CCZ Berwick, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Cadw (Welsh Government heritage service), Royal Institute of British Architects

Image: © Freya Marton, detail of costume, 2025, courtesy of Invisible Dust and the artist.