Are you “Exotic?”

Exotic: from the Greek “exô” outside, and foreign “exôtikos”.

From the ^17th century onwards, Western society became passionate about travel, discovering colonial fruits and vegetables, tomatoes, corn, potatoes and chocolate.

The ^18th century brought the Thousand and One Nights, the Persian Letters and Bougainville’s voyages to France. Asian fabrics and motifs (Indians) were adored. Mme de Staël’s bedroom at Coppet, home of Mme Récamier, is decorated with magnificent Chinese wallpaper.

The museums of the Palais de Rumine present a joint, interdisciplinary exhibition Exotic? How do we define exoticism in Switzerland and elsewhere?

The exhibition shows that in the ^18th century it was the Alps and the costumes of the herdsmen that were exotic!

Before the pandemic, the most exotic destinations were Grenada, Fiji, Micronesia and Mongolia.

And what about today? It’s become very trendy to meet in small groups under a tree in a park for a picnic, or to go for a bike ride between Chavannes and Lutry. The exoticism of yesteryear is, by necessity, returning to the local.

From now until February 28, 2021, discover the Exotic exhibition at the Palais de Rumine.

Evelyne, Riponne site

.