Le carnotzet

Region Valais, in the Swiss Alps, has established the carnotzet, a wine cellar, as part of its tradition, if not one its founding myths. Carnotzets are “traditionally” built underground and reserved for men. Yet, their origin is rather recent and can be traced back to agriculture fairs and national exhibitions at the beginning of the 20th century. Carnotzets are obviously what one could name an “invented tradition”.

My attempt, with the installation Le carnotzet, is to give a personal, subjective, queer reading of this “tradition” and to put its codes, definitions and clichés into question. Conceived as a three-dimensional self-portrait, “my” carnotzet is of course embedded in the Swiss Alps’ collective imagery and my family history. It is therefore filled with strong references to religion and hunting. But it is also pervaded by allusions to gay culture. Here we can find a glory hole, a karaoke corner, a rather equivocal woodcarving and carpeting. And the figure of Jean Genet, who stares at the visitors like the saint patron of the carnotzet.

The interpretation of the installation is deliberately let to the spectators’ self-understanding. Nevertheless, the accompanying risograph-printed publication, as well as the carnotzet’s library, contains various keys that give access to a homoerotic reading of the installation.