In case you are searching for an expertise that can “knock your socks off”, do think about attending one in all three immersive artwork exhibitions in France the place you’re surrounded by well-known artistic endeavors that are projected onto gigantic partitions and choreographed to classical and fashionable music.
These digital artwork exhibits happen at L’Atelier des Lumières in Paris, Les Carrières des Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence, and Les Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux. You’ll see masterpieces by well-known artists akin to Picasso, Van Gogh, Klimt, or Cezanne in ways in which you by no means imagined.
Immersive Artwork Exhibitions In Paris, Les Baux, And Bordeaux
3 Distinctive Venues
The “Lumières” exhibitions in Paris, Les Baux, and Bordeaux are extra than simply sound and lightweight exhibits (son et lumières). Whereas the content material (the digital displays of the artist’s work) is dazzling, it’s the venue the place the exhibition takes place that makes the complete expertise distinctive. It’s higher and fairly completely different than being in an artwork gallery as modern designs and know-how are included into the presentation.
Every location is completely different. In Paris, you’re in a foundry that after produced metallic castings. In Les Baux, you’re in a limestone quarry, and in Bordeaux, you’re in a former submarine base.
Throughout your go to, there are often 2-4 “displays” showcasing the work of classical and modern or fashionable artists. The go to lasts about 1-1.5 hours. The exhibits run constantly, so it doesn’t matter whenever you enter. Even when every location is selling the identical artist (ie. Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, and so on.), the experiences are immensely completely different because of the distinctive venues that they’re in.
What Is An Immersive Artwork Expertise?
There’s an enormous distinction experiencing an immersive artwork exhibition in comparison with visiting a standard museum or artwork gallery. At an artwork gallery, the expertise is passive. You stand there and stare at a portray or piece of artwork.
In an immersive expertise you see a whole bunch of work projected on large partitions throughout you—-360 levels—and lots of are proven on the identical time. The pictures transfer, up and down, left and proper, and out and in and this multi-projection digital presentation attracts you into the artwork which is choreographed to music. Your senses come alive as you stroll across the venue, see the pictures from all angles, and really feel the feelings that the music has evoked in you. You might be interacting with the artwork.
Because of know-how and the collaboration of laptop animators, artists, engineers, architects, and designers, well-known artistic endeavors at the moment are made extra accessible to the plenty as adults and youngsters alike are having fun with these immersive artwork installations. No extra “shushing” the place you must be quiet, like in a museum. These are locations to have enjoyable.
Culturespaces Continues To Innovate
Culturespaces is the group that manages the immersive exhibitions at Atelier des Lumières, Carrières des Lumières, and Les Bassins des Lumières and have accomplished an impressive job of being modern, with new exhibits added roughly each 6-9 months.
Benefit from the free IOS and Android apps that can provide you commentary and details about present exhibitions in France and different exhibitions run by Culturespaces all through the world. Additionally they have immersive exhibitions in New York, Dortmund (Germany), Amsterdam, Seoul and Jeju (South Korea), and Dubai.
Video Compilation Of All 3 Immersive Experiences
Take a look at this brief video displaying what the 3 immersive experiences in France are like at every of the venues (simply click on on the picture):
1. Atelier des Lumières (Paris)
(a) What Does “Atelier des Lumières” Imply?
“Atelier des Lumières” means “workshop of lights” and this digital artwork heart is the primary of its form in Paris with music and digital photographs of artwork by famend painters and artists.
(b) The place Is Atelier des Lumières Positioned?
It’s situated in a former foundry, Chemin-Vert, that initially opened in 1935, to fabricate forged iron components for naval and railway firms. The family-run enterprise was in operation for 4 generations however closed in 1929. Whereas the smelting plant was nonetheless capable of produce instruments till 2000, it wasn’t till 2013 that Culturespaces received concerned to hire out the power to create a digital arts centre.
(c) The Immersive Expertise In Paris
The digital artwork expertise in Paris is completely different in comparison with the sound and lightweight exhibits in Les Baux. The realm covers 3300 sq. meters and the partitions are excessive (10 meters excessive). There may be an higher stage and a facet room to see the pictures from completely different angles and to view the opposite exhibits. They use 140 video projectors and an enhanced immersive sound system mainly making a 3D impact (that is spatial sound and it’s higher than encompass sound).
Throughout my first go to, many, many individuals sat on the ground in the midst of the power, so that you needed to be cautious the place you walked. It wasn’t as unhealthy the second time I went.
(d) Paris Immersive Artwork Exhibitions I’ve Attended
I went to the Atelier’s first exhibition in 2018. It featured:
- Gustav Klimt
- Hundertwasser within the Wake of the Vienna Secession
- Colors X Colors
In 2022, I went again and the work of Paul Cezanne was the primary attraction. There was additionally a presentation of vibrant work by Wassily (generally written as Vassily) Kandinsky (1866–1944). He’s typically thought-about the daddy of summary artwork and his work remind me of the work of Joan Miró and Victor Vasarely.
Along with the work by recognized artists, there was additionally a displaying of a digital movie referred to as “Recording Entropia” that I had seen in Bordeaux. Initially produced for digital actuality, the artwork set up was become an immersive exhibition the place you see objects in (outer?) house, altering kind. Sort of like transformers, however in water or outer house. It was very creatively accomplished.
(e) Future Exhibits At Atelier des Lumières (2023-2024)
From now till January 7, 2024, there will probably be exhibits highlighting the artwork of Marc Chagall (1887–1985) throughout his time in Paris and New York.
Atelier des Lumières
Location: 8 rue Saint Maur within the eleventh arrondissement
Open: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to six pm; Fridays and Saturdays 10 am till 10 pm; and Sundays 10 am till 7pmCost: 16 Euros (save 2 € by reserving on-line) (as of 2023)
Tickets: To get tickets, it’s best to ebook them on-line. The web site exhibits the variety of tickets obtainable every day.
Web site: https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en/house
2. Carrières des Lumières (Les Baux-de-Provence)
(a) What Does “Carrières des Lumières” Imply?
“Carrières des Lumières” means “Quarries of sunshine” and the venue for the immersive sound and lightweight exhibits is actually a former limestone quarry (“carrière”).
In 1800 there was a requirement for stone and Les Baux had it. Thus started the start of the creation of quarries akin to Les Grands Fonds, which is now Les Carrières des Lumières. The quarry closed in 1935 and some years later well-known filmmaker Jean Cocteau used the power for one in all his movies, “The Testomony Of Orpheus”.
It wasn’t till 1977 that the house was lastly used for sound and lightweight exhibits. In 2012, Culturespaces started to handle the quarry and started internet hosting immersive artwork and music exhibitions.
(b) The place Is Carrières de Lumières Positioned?
Within the coronary heart of Provence, simply 38 kilometres south of Avignon is Château des Baux-de-Provence, famend for the stays of the Tenth-century fortress. Simply across the nook (800 meters) is Carrières des Lumières.
(c) The Immersive Expertise In Les Baux-de-Provence
While you enter the large quarry, you’re introduced with huge partitions of limestone and you’re free to wander all through the complicated or sit on the facet and benefit from the leisure.
The digital artwork exhibitions are projected onto the partitions whereas music is coordinated with the shows.
(d) Les Baux Immersive Artwork Exhibitions I’ve Attended
In 2017, I noticed “The Improbable and Great World of Bosch, Brueghel, Arcimboldo”. I wasn’t conversant in the work of those artists so I wasn’t as “awed” as on my second and third visits in 2018 and 2019.
Throughout my second go to, I noticed artwork by Picasso and different Spanish painters akin to Goya and Sorolla in addition to artwork from the late Sixties and early Seventies. The music from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Jimmy Hendrix that went with “Flower Energy and Pop Tradition” was actually extra to my liking. The exhibition used wildly vivid colors and lots of acquainted tunes.
My third go to to Les Carrières was in 2019 and it was the most effective. “Van Gogh, La Nuit Étoilée” (Van Gogh, Starry Night time) was the presentation and it was my favorite, actually as a result of I used to be most conversant in his artwork. The long-lasting photographs of Van Gogh’s Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), Nuit étoilée (Starry Night time, 1889), and his self-portrait had been breathtaking.
I additionally actually preferred the music performed in the course of the Van Gogh exhibition. It was by Vivaldi (4 Seasons), Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, and Miles Davis. The second a part of the exhibition was mixed with “Dreamed Japan, Pictures of the Floating World”, crammed with photographs of samurai warriors and geishas. It was accompanied by music by Debussy. This specific present was additionally proven at Paris’ Atelier des Lumières.
In case you are visiting Les Baux in the summertime, you’ll benefit from the cool temperatures inside. Often, it’s a refreshing 14-16 levels Celsius, so carry a sweater.
(e) Future Exhibits At Carrières des Lumières (2023-2024)
From now till January 2024, there will probably be exhibits highlighting the artwork of Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Mondrian.
Carrières des Lumières
Location: Route de Maillane 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
Open:
- January, November, and December: 10-6 pm
- Late February and March: 9:30-6 pm
- April, Might, June, September, and October: 9:30-7 pm
- July, August: 9-7:30 pm
Price: 14.5 Euros (as of 2023)
Observe: You will get a mixed ticket to go to Les Carrières des Lumières and Chateau des Baux de Provence for a mixed price (18E)
Web site: https://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/
3. Bassins des Lumières (Bordeaux)
(a) What Does “Bassins des Lumières” Imply?
“Bassins des Lumières” means “Swimming pools of Gentle”. There are lots of swimming pools of water, as it’s (or was) a submarine base. The digital photographs projected on the partitions, ceiling, and the cistern create stunning reflections within the water and supply a really immersive sound and lightweight present.
(b) The place Is Bassins des Lumières Positioned?
The digital exhibition venue in Bordeaux has fairly a historical past. The displays happen in a former submarine base from World Struggle II. In June 1940, Bordeaux was occupied by German troops. The Axis forces (Germany, Italy, and Japan) needed extra “pens” to guard their submarines. (A submarine in German is “Unterseeboot” and is known as a “u-boat”) . Development of the “U-boat-bunkers” started in September 1941 and the work was accomplished by 6500 individuals—French, Italian, Belgium, and Dutch staff. 1/3 had been Spanish prisoners.
It took 19 months simply to pour the concrete which was wanted to create the bottom and 11 submarine docks. The roof alone had 9 meters of concrete and the Bordeaux submarine bunker finally coated 42,000 sq. meters. It was absolutely operational in Might 1943 however was solely in use till August 26, 1944. Bordeaux was liberated two days later.
In 2018, Culturespaces took over 4 of the bunker’s docks and started renovating it to develop into Les Bassins des Lumières— Sous-Marine (which means “underwater”). It opened in April 2020 with digital artwork exhibitions of the work of Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, and Ocean Information.
(c) The Immersive Expertise In Bordeaux
Pictures are projected on the partitions and ceiling of this naval base and mirrored off the swimming pools of water which might be situated all through the complicated.
There have been only some path indicators which had been illuminated on the bottom. They directed you to the exit and areas that had further, shorter displays. The phrases had been in French:
- La Citerne (cistern or tank)
- Le Dice (particular exhibition house the place new digital artwork is introduced)
- Les Gradins (bleachers)
- L’Écluse (lock-the sort to regulate water)
Inside “Le dice” and the “La Citerne”, there are further displays.
(d) Les Bassins Immersive Artwork Exhibitions I’ve Attended
After I visited, I used to be transported to Venice within the “Venise La Sérénissime” exhibition with art work accomplished by varied Italian painters akin to Bellini and Tintoretto. The pictures had been vibrant and sensible, shocking as it’s so darkish inside. The accompanying music tied in fantastically with the presentation. There was additionally a presentation of the work of the Spanish painter Sorolla.
I wandered down corridors, up into the bleachers, and into facet rooms and again areas the place one might learn in regards to the shows and artists and see further digital artwork exhibitions. You will get misplaced whenever you wander round nevertheless it doesn’t actually matter. It’s a part of the expertise to maintain discovering new photographs.
In la dice and la citerne “Recording Entropia” (additionally displaying in Paris) and a “Cell Immersion” had been inventive and vibrant exhibits that had been enjoying.
For those who’re visiting in the summertime, it will likely be cool like in Carrières des Lumières in Les Baux, because of all of the concrete that was used to assemble this base.
(e) Future Exhibits
From now till January 7, 2024, there will probably be exhibits highlighting the artwork of Dali and Gaudi and a pair of new immersive digital artwork initiatives, “The Different Backyard” and “Infinite Horizons”. In April 2024 there are night displays of the “Vacation spot Cosmos, the final word problem” that takes you from earth into the photo voltaic system.
Bassins des Lumières
Location: Deadlock Brown de Colstoun, Bordeaux (I took a tram after which a bus to get there)
Open:
February 20-March 31 and October 1-January 7, 2024
- Sunday-Thursday: 10-6 pm
- Friday, Saturday: 10-8 pm
April 1-September 30
- Sunday-Thursday: 10-7 pm
- Friday, Saturday: 10-9 pm
Price: 15 €
My Favorite Immersive Artwork Expertise In France
I’ve visited Les Carrières de Lumières thrice and my final go to confirmed my opinion that it’s rather more spectacular than Atelier des Lumières. That is inevitable as Les Carrières is clearly bigger and with such excessive partitions as “screens”, the pictures projected are merely extra spectacular.
I might say Bassins des Lumières is available in second. The water that displays the colorful transferring photographs makes the entire surroundings actually distinctive.
So, should you’re subsequent journey takes you to Paris, Les Baux-de-Provence, and Bordeaux, go to every of those digital artwork exhibitions the place you’ll be immersed in artwork, mild, and music. You gained’t be disillusioned.
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