Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ages 8+
Free (booking required)
The collaborative workshop will exceptionally open on Saturdays 21 February, 28 March and 25 April for Samedis du 19M FM.
the Wishing Tree, embroidery on washi paper,
by Sébastien Desplatet and Atelier Montex
30.01 → 26.04.2026
Workshop
Free
Alongside the exhibition Beyond our Horizons: from Tokyo to Paris, la Galerie du 19M is organising a free collaborative workshop in which participants are invited to embroider their own tanzaku—small strips of washipaper on which to write a wish—in collaboration with the embroidery house Atelier Montex and Sébastien Desplat.
Prepare your visit to the Gallery
the Project by Sébastien Desplat with Atelier Montex
Found all over Japan, the wish tree is particularly associated with Tanabata, the star festival celebrated around 7 July. Inspired by a legend in which two lovers meet only once a year, this tradition consists of writing wishes on tanzaku, small strips of washi paper, and then hanging them on bamboo branches.
Using washi paper sourced directly from Kyoto and made using traditional techniques, Sébastien Desplat printed these strips of paper using a special water-based woodblock printing technique called moku hanga.
For this workshop, Sébastien Desplat has developed a lexicon of shapes inspired by Japanese auspicious animals, which the public can embroider on their tanzaku.
Each participant is then invited to hang their creation on a “tree structure”, creating a collective installation combining textiles, wishes, and poetry.
les Samedis du 19M
Open every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m. (booking required), the workshop will also take place in a XXL format with Sébastien Desplat during les Samedis du 19M FM, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the art of engraving with the artist and discover the behind-the-scenes process of creating this work, which draws on a range of traditional Japanese savoir-faire.
Free admission (booking required)
About
Sébastien Desplat
Atelier Montex
Atelier Montex is an embroidery house that offers its expertise to the biggest names in luxury Ready-to-Wear and Haute Couture, and is developing its activities in the field of decorative and ornamental projects.
Founded in 1949, its unique artisanal techniques enable it to create masterful samples that combine tradition and innovation. Recognised as an Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) in 2013, Atelier Montex creates unique designs exclusively for each project. The company is full of highly modern embroidery samples that are both sophisticated and innovative, such as lace embroidered on newspaper, or a spiral of baguette beads with a three-dimensional volume effect. The designs are made using needlepoint, Lunéville crochet and, since the 1960s, Cornely embroidery: this century-old embroidery machine is mechanical but guided by hand, allowing for alternative stitching techniques. One of the hallmarks of Atelier Montex’s DNA is to dare to combine the irreplaceable gesture of the craftsman with cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing or laser cutting, to generate new creative possibilities and give life to the expression of an artistic vision.