Just having posted an image from the current Van Gogh exhibition in Arles reminded me that there are big changes afoot for the town.
The Luma Foundation is building a cultural complex on the site of the former railway sheds and sidings, renovating the big engine sheds and adding the ‘Luma Tower’ which is a 56m piece of modern architecture.
It is going to provide extensive facilities for local businesses and much to attract visitors. Especially the observation deck on the 10th and top floor of the Tower – think of the views across the Camargue and over to the Alpilles.
It has been funded by the Hoffman family who own Swiss pharmaceutical companies and have had links to Arles for years. Maja Hoffman, an art-collector, art patron and entrepreneur, is a board member of the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh and the Tate Gallery in London. She enlisted architect Frank Gehry to design the tower, and Annabelle Selldorf to renovate the existing railway buildings.
There will be premises for the Ecole National de la Photographie as well as local publisher Actes Sud. Having visited their premises which was completely stock-piled with their lovely books, I’m sure they will be happy to spread out. Plus there will be gallery space, conference rooms, cafes and places for the annual ‘Rencontres d’Arles’ photo show to exhibit. More here: http://luma-arles.org/about
It is a very big development and, with unemployment an issue in Arles, such investment is welcome, especially as it will boost tourism too. There’s an extensive piece about the development here: http://www.designcurial.com/news/regeneration-game-4333385 It has interesting background on the concepts which drove the design of the Luma Tower.
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