La Tour de Feu

The La Tour de Feu tapestry by André Borderie is a powerful exploration of verticality, structure, and elemental force within abstraction. Conceived in the 1970s and woven by Atelier C. Legoueix, the work reflects Borderie’s distinctive approach to tapestry as both a visual and architectural medium.

The composition is organized around a strong ascending structure, evoking the idea of a tower rising through space. Rather than depicting a literal form, Borderie constructs this presence through layered geometric elements and shifting tonal contrasts. The vertical movement suggests both stability and transformation, as if the structure itself is shaped by internal energy.

The title, translating to “The Tower of Fire,” introduces a symbolic dimension that informs the composition. The interplay of warmer tones and luminous passages creates the impression of heat, light, and upward motion. These elements are not descriptive but atmospheric, allowing the tapestry to convey a sense of intensity without relying on representation.

Borderie’s work is grounded in construction, yet it retains a fluid quality. The arrangement of forms is carefully balanced, guiding the eye upward while maintaining cohesion across the surface. This tension between structure and movement is central to his practice, where geometry becomes a means of expressing energy rather than constraint.

The handwoven wool surface enhances this dynamic. Variations in texture and density give depth to the composition, allowing light to interact with the surface in subtle ways. The result is a tapestry that shifts in tone depending on its environment, reinforcing the sense of a living, radiant form.

Produced in a limited edition of three and bearing the artist’s hand-signed and numbered bolduc, La Tour de Feu stands as a rare and concentrated example of Borderie’s vision. It embodies the convergence of abstraction, material, and symbolic resonance within the tradition of modern French tapestry.