The Côte d'Azur and Provence still cultivate their taste for art and propose many exhibitions,
plays and other events all year long. Focus on our flourishing cultural activities.
Famous thanks to his snaps of high society in the “Belle Epoque”, painter/photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue is looked upon as a genius of black-and-white photography. This exhibition focuses on the theme of the passing moment and the fleeting nature of happiness. Many of these photos were taken on the Côte d’Azur, especially in Nice, where the artist passed away in 1986. Until September 25th. Théâtre de la Photographie et de l’Image, 27 boulevard Dubouchage, Nice (04 97 13 42 20).
The great electro evening at the Citadelle in Saint-Tropez is back for its second edition. Impressive staging, VIP lounge, electrifying mixes, breathtaking artists/performers including DJs from the beaches of Pampelonne and the Moon Party of Couchevel, Rémy Baldo... All the ingredients for success seem to be united for this summer event, with the pioneer of the “French touch”, world-renowned DJ Etienne de Crecy, topping the bill. August 11th Citadelle, Saint-Tropez (www.delices-sonores.com).
Drawing more fans than ever, ceramics are invading the worlds of design and contemporary art with unbounded creativity. For its 24th International Biennale, the village of Vallauris, the cradle of this discipline, is staging seven high-level exhibitions in seven different venues, including the Magnelli Museum which presents the masterful creations of Korean artist Kim Joon. Until October 31th. Vallauris (04 93 64 71 83).
Every summer, the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival welcomes great international stars, and this edition is no exception to the rule. From Rod Stewart to Tom Jones, Enrique Iglesias, Lana Del Rey and Charles Aznavour, these concert evenings offer rare moments of emotion. Until August 20th. Sporting d’été, 26 avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 98 06 36 36).
One of the 20th century’s leading lights, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, better known as “Le Corbusier”, had a deep influence on several generations of architects and his legacy still plays a part in fashioning our contemporary environment. With his wife Yvonne - a Monégasque model -, he liked to spend his holidays in a modest waterfront inn on the Bassin d’Arcachon. This exhibition presents for the first time his fondness for this wild, authentic nature in many photos, objects, sketches and writings. Until August 28th. Le Hangar, Gare de Cap-Martin, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (06 48 72 90 53).
Love, battles, religion, mythology, music, “genre” scenes… These essential themes dear to the leading light of the Free Figuration movement are given pride of place in this retrospective featuring about 100 major works by Robert Combas, one of the most important living artists on France’s art scene. From August 7th to september 11th. Grimaldi Forum, 10 avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 99 99 20 00)
The building’s twelve “sails” comprised of 3,600 plates of glass are covered by an array of coloured filters. Such is the temporary work created in situ at the Louis Vuitton Foundation by major international artist Daniel Buren. Transforming the building in a radical and constantly changing way, especially when the sun reaches its zenith, the installation took 29 nights to complete. Until December. Fondation Louis Vuitton, 8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Paris 16 (01 40 69 96 00).
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the famous “banana album”, the exhibit entitled “Velvet Underground - New York Extravaganza” proposes immersion into the world of the legendary rock band formed in the mid-1960’s. Close to Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground left an indelible mark on the history of music and Pop culture. Until August 21st. Philharmonie de Paris, 221 avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19 (01 44 84 44 84).
An essential name in contemporary Japanese photography, Nobuyoshi Araki has won worldwide renown for his photographs of female nudes in bondage, his portraits in black-and-white, bloody still-lifes and tattooed sumos. In over 400 photographs, fifty years of his work are traced in this exhibition, one of the largest ever devoted to Araki in France. Until September 5th. Musée national des Arts asiatiques - Guimet, 6 place d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 56 52 53 00).
Artcurial is giving a place of honour to Indian creativity in this exhibition consisting of 19 works signed by nine major artists including Jivya Soma Mashe, Jangarh Singh Shyam and Ram Singh Urveti. Like Art Brut and Outsider Art, this vernacular contemporary art is more and more visible on the international scene. Until August 28th. Artcurial, 7 rond-point des Champs-Elysées, Paris 8 (01 42 99 20 20).
Massive Attack, Iggy Pop, Sigur Ros, Cassius, Soulwax, Birdy Nam Nam, Breakbot, Gregory Porter... Five stages installed at the heart of the Domaine National of Saint-Cloud will vibrate to the sound of emerging and cult artists on the international rock scene during these “Rock en Seine” concerts, held in the historic gardens designed by Le Nôtre. August from 26 to 28th. Domaine national de Saint-Cloud (www.rockenseine.com).
The influence of French culture and the period spent in Monaco, such is the angle chosen for this major exhibition dedicated to British artist Francis Bacon, uncontested master of violence and tragedy. Over 60 works including key triptychs and some of his most significant paintings comprise this first exhibition organized under the aegis of the recently established Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation of Monaco. Until september 4th. Grimaldi Forum, 10 avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 99 99 20 00).
Beating attendance records with over 60,000 spectators last summer, the Nice Jazz Festival is the most eagerly awaited event in the town’s summer cultural season. This year, the Masséna and Théâtre de Verdure stages will host a high-flying programme with Massive Attack, Robert Plant, Melody Gardot, the Avishai Cogen Quartet, Yaaron Herman, Hyphen Hyphen, Ibrahim Maalouf, Brigitte and Youssou N’Dour all on the bill. July from 16th to 20th. Place Masséna, Nice (www.nicejazzfestival.fr - 04 97 13 40 42).
Starting from the idea that everyone knows Romeo and Juliette, Jean-Christophe Maillot, choreographer of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, has adopted a slant which avoids the need to paraphrase Shakespeare’s masterpiece. This contemporary ballet has lots of surprises up its sleeve ! July from 28th to 30th. Opéra de Monte-Carlo, salle Garnier, Monaco (00 377 99 99 30 00).
Testifying to the originality of naive art from Brazil, this exhibition organized in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Sao Paulo is a discerning melting-pot incorporating ethnic and religious influences and a message of hope. On display, 70 major works by artists who have left their mark on Brazilian art from the 1940’s to the present day. Until October 3rd. Musée international d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky, 23 avenue de Fabron, Nice (04 93 71 78 33).
The 6th edition of this outdoor classical music event consists of six concerts in different configurations ranging from recital to quintet. Among the 14 musicians participating, some are performing together for the first time, while others are long-time partners bearing witness to their complicity. The ambitious international programme features Vadim Repin, regarded as today’s most accomplished violinist. July from 22nd to 31st. Place de la Courtine et Fondation Maeght, Saint-Paul de Vence (www.festivalsaintpauldevence.com).
For its 6th edition the Point Art Monaco event has changed its name. Now known as the European Art Fair, this rendez-vous presenting art of museum quality unites the world’s most prominent institutions including the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Moma of New York, the Pinacoteca di Brera of Milan, not forgetting prestigious art-galleries from Geneva, London and Saint-Petersburg. July from 20th to 24th. Grimaldi Forum, 10 avenue Princesse Grace. www.eafmonaco.com
Inspired by the work of Bernie Krause, an American musician and acoustics engineer, this exhibition uniting artists from all over the world invites visitors to immerse themselves in esthetic meditation, involving both eyes and ears, on an animal world increasingly confronted by serious threats. The cornerstone of the exhibit is a drawing 18 metres long, specially produced by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, portraying all species of wild animals, come together around a single water-hole. Very powerful... Until January 8th. Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, 261 boulevard Raspail, Paris 14 (01 42 18 56 50).
In Fragonard’s recently inaugurated museum in Paris, the famous perfume manufacturer from Grasse proposes an exhibition tracing the history of this traditional company, a leading light in artisanal perfume making. An entertaining and informative scenography reveals the major milestones and flagship creations of a firm which has been run by the same family for the past nine decades. Until October 31st. Nouveau Musée du Parfum, 5 rue Boudreau, Paris 9 (01 40 06 10 10).
The work of Pierre Paulin had a profound impact on the second half of the 20th century, contributing to a dynamic approach towards a new art of living. The Pompidou Centre is staging the first major retrospective devoted to the work of this designer and architect, highlighting his most important creations, now become iconic. Until August 22nd. Centre Pompidou, place Georges Pompidou, Paris 4 (01 44 78 12 33).
