“M like mosaic”… That rings a little bell, doesn’t it? Not quite sure where you have heard that before?
Let me tell you a story…
Back in 1877, a ceramic stoneware factory founded by Paul Charnoz was established in Paray-le-Monial. For those who do not know where it is, Paray-le-Monial is located in the department of Saône-et-Loire, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. Yes—right here in France!
This famous “ceramic stoneware tile” is also known by another, more common name: the mosaic tile.
In 1994, a group of former employees of this factory created the Paul Charnoz Museum to highlight the history of ceramic heritage and workers’ know-how (also known as the “memory of the gesture”).
Four years later, their collaboration with the Tourist Office and other enthusiasts led to an exhibition featuring international mosaic artists.
Presented at the Paul Charnoz Museum and the Saint Nicolas Tower in Paray-le-Monial, the exhibition “Aime… comme Mosaïque” was a great success. More importantly, it marked the public discovery of contemporary mosaic art.
The exhibition was even reproduced the following year at the Forney Library at the request of Paris City Hall (the same year as the second exhibition “Vivre à Rome,” during which Giovanna Galli led three initiation workshops in this art).
In 2000 came the official creation of “Aime… comme Mosaïque,” which became M comme Mosaïque in 2008. Since then, the association has remained true to its values and ambitions, despite several relocations.
Today, at 15bis Quai de l’Industrie in Paray-le-Monial, within the House of Contemporary Mosaic, visitors can explore the permanent exhibition hall, access a high-quality resource center, and even take part in workshops led by renowned mosaic artists.