The toothpick a tiny pointed stick used for dental hygiene—has accompanied humanity since prehistoric times. Fossil remains indicate that even Neanderthals used toothpicks, and throughout the centuries, this simple wooden stick evolved into refined objects: ancient and Renaissance toothpicks were crafted from precious materials such as bronze, silver, ivory, and even solid gold, becoming genuine status symbols reserved for the elite. In modern times, particularly in cinema, a simple toothpick between the lips became a sign of self-confidence and rebellion, epitomized by western gunslingers and film noir gangsters. Thus, from a utilitarian tool to a cultural symbol, the toothpick occupies a curious position in our everyday life, suspended between banality and legend.
Alfred Jarry and the “Absurd” Final Request
Among notable figures who attributed special meaning to the toothpick is Alfred Jarry, writer, playwright, and poet born in Laval (1873–1907). Jarry is renowned for his irreverent spirit and for coining the term “Ubu-esque” (from his drama Ubu Roi), denoting grotesque absurdity. He is also the founder of pataphysics, defined as the “science of imaginary solutions”, a playful and paradoxical vision that significantly influenced 20th-century avant-garde movements. Unsurprisingly, Jarry’s life is full of eccentric episodes the most famous being his final request on his deathbed in 1907: reportedly asking for “un cure-dent!”, meaning a toothpick. This seemingly bizarre last wish became integral to the Jarry mythos, embodying his dark, unconventional humor.
This anecdote inspired Claudine Orvain, an artist and actress who moved to Laval in the 1990s and a passionate admirer of Jarry. “I discovered that Alfred Jarry had asked, as his final wish, for a toothpick. From this anecdote, I began creating whimsical objects,” Orvain explains. Thus was born the idea of paying tribute to the writer using the tool he humorously requested at death. In 1999, during the Les Uburlesques festival (a playful fusion of Ubu and “burlesque”), Orvain established the first iteration of what would become the Musée Mondial du Cure-Dent the “World Toothpick Museum.” Initially, the museum was a creative workshop open to the public, encouraging visitors to craft artistic and bizarre toothpicks.
The Toothpick Museum in Laval: Origin and Collection
After its 1999 debut, the unusual Toothpick Museum lay dormant for a time, occasionally resurfacing, notably in 2007 when an enthusiast from Poland convinced Orvain to showcase the collection in Krakow at an event celebrating pataphysics. Its true revival came recently. Taking advantage of the forced pauses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Claudine Orvain revisited the project, improved existing pieces, and significantly expanded the collection. Today, the Musée Mondial du Cure-Dent boasts over 70 artistic toothpicks, each with its unique story, designed as a constantly evolving traveling exhibition. The museum has no permanent venue but is hosted in various locations (theaters, museums, cultural centers), enriching itself with new creations at each stop, engaging the public with guided tours, workshops, and readings from Jarry’s and other surreal authors’ texts. Orvain’s vision is to offer an experience as educational as it is entertaining, elevating a humble everyday item into an “artistic impulse.”
The collection is divided into three thematic categories: utilitarian toothpicks, decorative toothpicks, and playful ones—humorous and whimsical. Orvain approaches the project scientifically yet humorously: “This object, found in countless forms on every continent, has a great future: there will always be a need to avoid parsley between one’s teeth!” Among the most original exhibits are the “Bride’s Toothpick”, complete with a tiny lace dress, “Captain Hook”, a toothpick on a miniature pirate ship, and “L’Amérindien”, armed with a miniature bow and arrow. Pop culture references include the “Gainsbourg”, a toothpick wrapped in a banknote, alluding to Serge Gainsbourg’s provocative act of burning money. Historical authenticity also has its place, with ancient toothpicks made from bone or wood, highlighting its enduring use through human history.
Between Pataphysics and Jarry’s Absurdity
The Musée Insolite du Cure-Dent is more than just a quirky collection—it is a genuine pataphysical tribute. Pataphysics, Jarry’s paradoxical “science,” elevates absurdity into a systematic vision. The museum creators openly embrace this surreal discipline: each toothpick on display is simultaneously authentic and fictional, materially real yet accompanied by entirely fabricated narratives. Aptly described as “authentically false and genuinely imaginary,” the museum playfully blurs reality and fantasy, embodying Jarry’s absurdist spirit. Alfred Jarry would likely have appreciated this homage: his final, humorously defiant act requesting a mundane toothpick—has found new life and meaning through this imaginative, thoroughly pataphysical project.
References: Théâtre de l’Échappée – Le Musée Mondial du Cure-Dent; Dentaire365;
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