Exhibition – Different Perspectives on William the Conqueror

Travelling multimedia exhibition “Different Perspectives on William the Conqueror: illuminations by Anastasia Lobanova & photographs by Fedor Bakulin”
“A sensory journey between contemporary Normandy and its medieval heritage”

What if the Bayeux Tapestry had taken the form of an 11th-century illuminated manuscript?
The exhibition explores this hypothesis by combining illuminations, contemporary photography and immersive sound art, offering a journey into the world of William the Conqueror, a thousand years after his time.

The series “If the Bayeux Tapestry were a manuscript…” stems from the vision of Anastasia Lobanova. After more than fifteen years devoted to the conception and production of cultural projects and documentary films internationally, she settled in Normandy in 2022 in search of a new artistic language, combining historical research with the techniques of medieval illumination, which she learnt in particular from Astrid Bertrand. Created using traditional methods — parchment, pigments, tempera and gold leaf — her works transpose scenes from the Tapestry onto imaginary pages, accompanied by texts written in Carolingian minuscule. The collection as a whole constitutes an interpretation faithful to the spirit of the original work, without being a reproduction.

In dialogue with this, Fedor Bakulin, director of photography and photographer, whose documentary films have been broadcast notably by ARTE and YLE and included in the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) and Harvard University, presents the photographic series ‘Normandy. In the Footsteps of William the Conqueror’. His work explores places marked by Norman history — buildings, landscapes and heritage sites — through an approach that blends documentary and poetic evocation.

The exhibition is enhanced by an original sound installation and highlights the now-rare traditional crafts associated with bookmaking. Illuminating demonstrations accompany the exhibition, showcasing ancient skills in a contemporary context.

Conceived as a travelling exhibition, the show continues its tour across Europe following several presentations in Normandy, and benefits from the support of heritage and museum specialists.

‘These are two projects that combine both scientific rigour and creative originality. ”
Honorary Director of the University Office for Norman Studies
University of Caen Normandy

“This collaboration has demonstrated her technical mastery and the quality of her art.
Her approach offers an original interpretation of the embroidery that inspired her. That is why we have invited Ms Lobanova to include her work as part of the permanent exhibition at the future Bayeux Tapestry Museum, which is due to open in 2027. Her works will thus take centre stage within the institution’s exhibition.
Ms Lobanova’s work deserves to be discovered by the general public.”
Clémentine Paquier-Berthelot, Head of the Documentary Programme – Bayeux Tapestry Museum

‘…a contemporary perspective on the book arts inherited from the medieval period, highlighting the beauty and fragility of passing on traditional skills. ”
Chief Heritage Curator
Director of the Museum of Fine Arts and Lace

Practical information:
Suitable for all ages
Free admission
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