The subject of the next exhibition at the Hotel Caumont which starts in October has been announced. The clue is in the colour.
Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category
Aix Hotel Caumont – Next Exhibition
Posted in Miscellaneous on August 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Signac et Saint-Tropez
Posted in Miscellaneous on August 4, 2022| 6 Comments »
From Thursday 5 May to Sunday 9 October 2022
In 1892, Parisian artist Paul Signac arrived in Saint Tropez on his boat, Olympia. He chanced upon the tiny port when he ran into bad weather and needed safe harbour.
It was to become his home for the next 26 years and his presence attracted fellow artists like Matisse, Manguin, Bonnard, Derain and Seurat. A true artists’ colony developed and he wrote to his mother ‘There is enough material to work on for the rest of my days. Happiness is what I have just discovered’.
May 2022 was the 130th anniversary of the painter’s arrival and the Museum of Saint-Tropez, L’Annonciade’ has honoured his memory with the temporary exhibition ‘Signac et Saint-Tropez.’
The museum talks of his establishing ‘a real artistic breeding ground, a sort of laboratory of the avant-garde, thus conferring on Saint-Tropez an artistic fame first, then literary, cinematographic, festive, and then increasingly touristy with a jet-set varnish which has not, however, totally undermined the authenticity of the peninsula.’
Interestingly, he and his painter friends left such detailed impressions of the port and the architecture of the houses on the quay, that they were accurate guides for the reconstruction after the bombardment of the port in WW2.
The collection of local art-works was assembled in 1922 and found a home in 1955 in L’Annonciade, a 16th century chapel on the quayside. It is a delight to visit.
Alas the town’s popularity has resulted in really heavy traffic during the summer months with the road into the port often being nose-to-tail. Best to wait til September when things quieten down, or get the boat over from Sainte Maxime, a lovely journey which ensures you arrive just like Paul Signac.
Extra! Curator Séverine Berger (conservateur en chef du patrimoine) will be giving a guided tour on Monday evenings.
Details: Open 10-19:00 during the summer. Outside the holiday period, hours vary, for instance the museum closes for the whole of November, so it is safer to call first. Tel: 04 94 17 84 10 or try http://www.sainttropeztourisme.com.
Free Piano Performances across Bouches de Rhone
Posted in Miscellaneous on July 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Ten free piano recitals under the banner ‘Sur les Routes de Provence’ will take place during early August.
The departement of Bouches de Rhone, a partner of the International Piano Festival at La Roque d’Antheron, is enabling performers to take their music to different communities in the region: here’s the programme…
Splash! Free entry to pools
Posted in Miscellaneous on July 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »
which are run by the Aix Marseille Metropole.
Locally, this includes the Piscine Yves Blanc near the Torse, (pictured), and the Piscine Sainte-Victoire, a 10-minute drive away near Venelles. This latter has a 50m outside pool with dazzling views of the mountain. They are literally dazzling as the sun bounces off the surface of the water. Cool customers sport swimming-sun-goggles, not something I knew existed…not generally needed in our UK pools!
Free until 15 August – Profitez!
Time Magazine Chooses Marseille as one of…
Posted in Miscellaneous on July 19, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Three Reasons to Visit Chateau La Coste This Summer…
Posted in Miscellaneous on July 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »
…apart of course from the 2 hr Sculpture and Architecture walk through their 600 acres of vineyards; then there are sweeping views right over to the mountains from the summit; and it all can be rounded off with a meal at one of their eating places, 3 restaurants and a café/ terrasse.
But this summer you can also see:
- Recently installed, ‘Box Car’ by Bob Dylan
Route de Cézanne Traffic-free…Plus Focus on Leo Marchutz
Posted in Miscellaneous on June 21, 2022| 2 Comments »
The Route de Cezanne, which the artist used to follow from the Torse to Le Tholonet, is the only road in France to have ‘monument historique’ status. It opens to pedestrians and cyclists very occasionally and Sunday 26th June gives everyone this rare pleasure all afternoon. It’s 4.6km of twisty country roads, a bit hilly in places, but shaded from the sun by lots of trees.
Artists of course have been following in Cezanne’s footsteps for years. Leo Marchutz, 1903-1976, was a German painter, lithgrapher and teacher who lived and worked at the Chateau Noir for three and a half decades. His work can be seen in the Louvre, the Met in New York and, nearer to home, the Musee Granet.
Celebrating Marchutz…
Conference
Anthony Marchutz will be discussing the first part of his father’s journal, Denise Lemoine will highlight recent discoveries and film director James Ruffato will present progress on his documentary on the artist. Sunday 26th June, 10.30-11.30, Salle de l’Ours, Le Tholonet.
The Streets of Aix – Like You Have Never Seen Them Before!
On Sunday afternoon, June 26th between 2-6pm, at the Atelier Marchutz, there’s an ephemeral exhibition dedicated to the streets of Aix and the lithographs they inspired.
Lithography was Marchutz’s sole means of artistic expression from 1947 to 1964. They represent the core and largest part of his oeuvre. A selection of 25 of his architectural landscapes of Aix, will be paired with recent photographs of their urban motifs. The photos, veritable works of art in their own right, were taken by Joël Biletta, professional art photographer who has carried out numerous photo shoots of Marchutz’s work. (5 av du General Peraud).
From Stone to Paper
Learn About a Largely Misunderstood Art Form
Lithography, or the art of printing from a flat stone, is a 200 year-old, largely misunderstood process. Despite the fact that it had a pronounced influence on the works of Pierre Bonnard, Toulouse-Lautrec, Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse. . .
Leo Marchutz brought numerous innovations to the lithographic practice, which he lifted to a very high artistic level.
Learn more at The American College of the Mediterranean / IAU, on Tuesday, July 5th at 6:30 pm for a three-part conference on Leo Marchutz and lithography. They say, ‘You will never look at a lithograph in the same way again.’
The American College of the Mediterranean / IAU
2 bis, rue du Bon Pasteur, Aix.
C’est Sud – Festival for the Young…and Young at Heart
Posted in Miscellaneous on June 20, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Back after a two-year hiatus, the 20th C’est Sud festival is taking place next weekend.
Look out for lots of creative activity, harnessing the talents and energy of the young Aixois, taking place around town. Stand-out events on the 25th include the construction of a Lego monument (parents can join in!) from 15:00. to a performance by ‘Cats on Trees’ on the big stage at 22:00…both in the Cours Mirbeau.
Details? Here you go: https://www.aixenprovence.fr/C-est-Sud-fete-ses-20-ans-Les-25-et-26-Juin
Calling all Scots
Posted in Miscellaneous on May 26, 2022| 1 Comment »
The first ever Scottish Festival in the south of France will be held this weekend, 28 and 29 May, in Isle sur la Sorgue. Sounds unmissable! It will be opened on the first day at 10:00 by a Sean Connery double with a pipe-band.
Programme here: https://islesurlasorguetourisme.com/page/festival-ecossais+7682.html Love the sound of the Taverne Ecossaise which would whisk me back to student days in Auld Reekie but not sure what ‘patisseries’ they would be serving with the whisky – maybe Tunnocks Caramel Wafers? And there’s a ‘Concours Men in Kilt’. What fun!
Aix: Lunch at Le Singe Vert
Posted in Miscellaneous on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »
New to Aix’s post-Pandemic dining scene, and therefore new to me, Le Singe Vert presents a stylish terrace, all rattan furniture and fresh flowers, to passers-by at the bottom end of the cours Mirabeau.
It used to be the Haagen Daas icecream cafe but has been extended right back into what was a travel agency and on into a courtyard garden. So what was a network of small offices has been transformed into charming little dining areas with period furniture, chandeliers, and wallpaper featuring the eponymous monkey. (more…)
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Art in the South of France; the inside story
The South of France. Enchanted by the deep blue of the Mediterranean, the olive trees, poppies, irises and that dazzling light, artists found their creativity flourished under the hot sun. My new book takes you on a journey visiting museums and galleries as well as artists’ studios and their favourite painting spots. From Van Gogh in Arles, to Signac in Saint-Tropez; from Cézanne in Aix, over to Nice for Renoir and Matisse, the story unfolds of artists who knew each other and painted together in the warm south. Prepare too to meet colourful local artists who captured their beloved Provence for us to enjoy.
Buy: in Book-in-Bar, Aix, or online. Please click here: /art-in-the-south-of-france-the-inside-story/paperback/product-23586102.html
Aix-en-Provence The Inside Story
My first book tells the story of this fascinating town and introduces .some of the characters who have lived here. With a focus on people rather than buildings, history is unravelled through anecdotes with lots of suggestions of what to see when you visit. Available from lulu.com - /aix-en-provence-the-inside-story
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Recent Posts
- Aix Hotel Caumont – Next Exhibition
- ‘In Cézanne’s Footsteps’ – the new app
- Even More Reasons to Visit Chateau La Coste This Summer
- Signac et Saint-Tropez
- Tomorrow: Post ‘Tour de France’ Cycle Event in Aix
- Free Piano Performances across Bouches de Rhone
- Special Summer Events in Toulon
- Summer Tours in Martigues
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