From June 25 to 30, 2024, Valloire becomes an ephemeral art theater, where straw and hay become the new materials of virtuoso sculptors. Exit marble, wood, or bronze, here the sculpture will be natural or it will not be. On the legendary road of the Col du Galibier, twelve monumental sculptures rise, the fruit of the talent and boundless imagination of artists coming from the four corners of the world for this unique event. The numbers are dizzying: six hundred kilos of hay, four hundred kilos of straw, to create works which, although gigantic, seem to defy gravity with unexpected elegance.

Giant animals, monumental faces, enchanted creatures and disproportionate structures... Oversized works with very enigmatic names are once again invading the Savoyard lands of Valloire on the occasion of the 13th edition of the International Straw and Hay Sculpture Competition. After a week of competition, the works that competed remain on display in Valloire until the end of the summer. Thanks to these unusual initiatives, Valloire can boast a very nice nickname, that of the world capital of ephemeral sculpture!

All summer, the Verneys site, just three kilometers from the center of Valloire, is transformed into an open-air gallery where giant sculptures blend into the Alpine landscape, during a majestic and free exhibition.

Who are the participants of the 2024 edition?

As you stroll among these giant sculptures, you can't help but marvel at the ingenuity and skill of the artists, capable of transforming humble materials into majestic works of art. Each piece, ephemeral by nature, embodies a moment of poetry and reflection on the transitory beauty of our existence.

The 2024 edition of the competition promises to be particularly remarkable. Here are our favorites:

“Kai Kai Treng Treng, The Force of Nature” by Gabriel Adrian Pinero and Herman Maurizio Opazo Molina (Argentina), evokes the elemental forces of nature. Argentinian artists capture the essence of natural movements, translating abstract concepts of strength and fluidity into hay and straw. This work recalls the immeasurable power of nature, both creative and destructive.

Belgian sculptors Maxime Van Besien and Pascal Veuillet present “Une Danse Eternelle”, a daring composition exploring the theme of the perpetuity of movement. The fluid shapes and dynamic twists of straw and hay suggest an endless dance, a timeless choreography defying the laws of gravity. This work is a celebration of continuity and eternity, captured in a frozen moment.

Ross and Marites Baisas from the Philippines offer us “The Last ROARRR!!!”, an imposing sculpture capturing the last roar of a mythical creature. With striking realism, they breathe raw vitality into their creation, each fiber of straw and hay contributing to a vibrant and expressive representation. This “final roar” evokes a moment of defiance and ultimate strength, a cry of the soul in the face of the inevitable.

The Ukrainian work “Haute Couture” by Bogdan Kutsevych and Francisco Calvillo combines the timeless elegance of fashion and the art of sculpture. The rustic materials of straw and hay are transformed into a refined work, evoking slender and sophisticated silhouettes reminiscent of the creations of haute couture houses. The artists skillfully play with textures and shapes to create a work that is both rustic and elegant.

Pablo Gonzalez and Maxime Le Ponner from France plunge us into the infernal depths with “Abyssos Infernalis”. Inspired by the abyss, this sculpture invites the viewer into a dark and mysterious universe. The artists use the materials at their disposal to create an oppressive atmosphere, evoking unfathomable darkness and mythical creatures of the deep. The painstaking details and complexity of the work call for an introspective exploration of the unknown.

Finnish sculptors Ekaterina Kuklina and Egor Kuklin offer “Never Give Up”, a work imbued with resilience and determination. This sculpture depicts a figure in struggle, emerging triumphantly from the materials of straw and hay. It is an ode to human perseverance, capturing the essence of the will to overcome obstacles.

These works, visible all summer at Les Verneys, embody not only impressive technical feats but also testimonies to the diversity of artistic expressions around the world.

More information

The 2024 winners

Here is the program for the day of the competition:

From June 25 to June 29: Come support the sculptors and follow the evolution of the sculptures throughout the week!

Saturday June 29 from 6:30 p.m.: Concert on the sculpture site. Refreshment bar offered by Pic Sonne.

Sunday June 30: For security reasons, the site is closed to the public from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (end of competition 12 p.m.)

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:Vote for the public prize and the youth prize at the Tourist Office

From 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Vote for the public prize and the youth prize on the sculpture site

From 4 p.m.: Refreshment bar offered by Pic Sonne

At 5:30 p.m.: competition prize ceremony on the sculpture site

Sculptures 2023

HAMEAU DES VERNEYS
Competition from June 25 to 30, 2024
Works visible until September 30, 2024
73450 Valloire
FREE ENTRANCE