Yvan’s Masterpiece
2005
Directed by Raymond Collet
Collection The Skills of Archaeology
Yvan, a young stonemason with the Centre d’Etudes Alexandrines, must create a chef-d'oeuvre to demonstrate his competence and be accepted into the guild, Les Compagnons du tour de France. He has chosen to construct an element of Islamic architecture, a mihrab, the niche in a mosque that indicates the direction of prayer towards Mecca. After a period of research in various monuments in Cairo, he designs his mihrab on a computer. The stone is then ordered from a quarry and Yvon forges the tools necessary for the job. The actual work of carving can begin. It will last approximately 1000 hours, that is, seven months. This film follows the various stages, from conception to carving to assembly of the mihrab, with a commentary by the mason himself including his thoughts on the Compagnon system and what it takes to become a member of this venerable society.