I am indebted to the Uk Sunday Times for a heads-up on a forthcoming expo at the Musée Matisse. David Hockney’s assistant was playfully describing a series of exhibitions featuring the artist – firstly in Amsterdam ‘Dave and Vince’, then in Paris ‘Dave and Claude’ and this summer his still-lifes are off to Nice for ‘Dave and Henri’.
No info on the museum website, but I found the catalogue is in print. It says the expo is called ‘Matisse/Hockney un paradis retrouvé’ and runs 2 June – 18 Sept. A treat in store for us all.
Belfast in the late 60s is the focus of this semi-autobiographical film written, produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh. It’s already bagged the People’s Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been nominated for 7 Oscars.
It tells the story of 9-year old Buddy, son of a working class Protestant family, trying to survive the outbreak of ‘The Troubles’ which are increasingly impacting on their lives, despite their efforts to keep out of harm’s way. Young Jude Hill has won acclaim for his portrayal of Buddy and magnetic couple Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan play his parents. But my Oscar would go to Judi Dench who makes a wonderful Irish granny. She seems able to morph herself into any role.
Music by Van Morrison adds flavour to this engrossing story.
Belfast is at the Mazarin in Aix from 2nd March, following its premiere on Monday 28 Feb.
Personal note: you might like to think twice before watching the trailer as it threads together many of the highlights and could take away some of the impact of this thoughtful film.
That was the news at the press conference this week as the final panel of the grotte Cosquer reconstruction was unveiled.
‘Cosquer Mediterranée’will recreate the prehistoric cave paintings which exist 35m below sea-level near Marseille in an underwater labrynth investigated by speleologist Henri Cosquer.
Of course 20,000 years ago, the cave-dwellers could wander in and out of these dwellings where they drew the wild-life of their habitat: sea animals, bison, penguins, horses and seals. How did they do this? Presumably by the light of torches or oil lamps. And why? It could be either for religious reasons, or under artistic impulse. The mysteries will be explored at the new centre.
Visitors will go down to the underground part of the building and tour the replica cave walls in 6-seater modules which glide across water, to make the experience as life-like as possible. A commentary will explain the background to the images. The exhibition has been painstakingly put together over 18 months by the agencies responsible for recreating the grotte Chauvet in the Ardeche.
The new attraction will be housed in the Villa Mediterranée which is next to MuCEM by the port of Marseille.
This building, which cost 73 million euros to build in 2013, and around 1 million p.a. to maintain, was supposed to be for a Mediterranean Parliament, then for exhibitions. It closed 5 years later and has been the subject of much debate and ‘polemique’ since then.
The opening has been announced for the beginning of June. Yes, those of us around in 2013 have heard all this before but La Provence declare the project ‘dans les starting blocks’; it would certainly be a timely opening for the summer tourist season.
Details:https://www.grotte-cosquer.com/en/ This includes videos of the original cave and much background detail. As can be seen below, this group of horses is already threatened by rising sea level.
Local teachers Fabienne and Chantal, who specialise in teaching French via personalised walking tours of Aix, are introducing hour-and-a-half group sessions for people at B1 level and over (*).
An event today in Aix will celebrate this birthday. Painter and writer Jacky Chabert who has published several books on Aix and Cezanne with Editions Desbaumes, will be signing his latest works ‘P.Cezanne aquarelliste’ and ‘Paul Cezanne, le temps d’un Abécédaire’. The great-grandson of the painter, Philippe Cezanne will attend. Today, 15h – 18h, Hotel des Augustins, rue de la Masse, Aix.
If you are new to Aix and seek further acquaintance with the town’s most famous artist, here are some suggestions. Continue Reading »
Many of you will be familiar with the series of mystery novels set in and around Aix by locally-based Canadian author M.L. Longworth. Each one brings a fresh challenge to Antoine Verlaque, investigating judge in Aix, with his romantic partner lawyer Marine Bonnet, who together track down the villains through vineyards, the Provencal countryside and the atmospheric streets of centre ville.
At the Musée Granet, Italy is the theme for the coming year.
‘Italia Discreta’ is a photographic exhibition of the work of Bernard Plossu. There will be 100 photos on the theme of Italy and these will be shown alongside 60 watercolours painted in Rome by Granet himself. 29th of April to the 28th of August.
There will be a second exhibition with an Italian theme featuring the work of the Neuf Pinakothek of Munich, a group of painters and photographers who worked in Rome in the 19 century. ‘ Lumiere Brumen’ will be at the Granet from the 11th of June to the 2nd of October.
In the meantime, there is the current exhibition at the Caumont Centre d’Art, ‘Tresors de Venise, la Collection Cini’, which runs til 27th March.
News from the Carrieres des Lumières about the 2022 program:
Venise la Serenissima is going to whisk us to the Grand Canal, over little bridges and through the shady walkways between beautiful buildings and churches. The 45 minute image and music show will immerse visitors in Byzantine art and the golden mosaics of Saint Mark’s Basilica, as well as focusing on the masterpieces of Tintoretto, Bellini and Canaletto. The usual short film (12mins) will provide a contrast with the work of Yves Klein. ‘L’Infini Bleu’ promises to be stunning as his works were executed mainly in his beloved Mediterranean blue – they will surround the visitor on the 16m high walls of to the ancient quarry.
The new show begins on the 4th of March 2020 and runs until the 2nd of January 2023.
If you haven’t seen the current Cézanne/Kandinsky show, it is on until the 16th of January and is well worth catching before it ends.
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.
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