A Summer on the Riviera

“A Summer on the Riviera” is inspired by the spirit of an early twentieth-century Belle Époque villa, combining a neo-classical building and Rococo-style corridors. Bringing together artists from different styles and generations, which epitomizes the variety of Mennour’s programme, “A Summer on the Riviera” offers a sensitive experience of art that echoes the geographical characteristics of a hilltop location overlooking the sea. The unique experience of light on the Côte d’Azur, the shimmering reflections of the sun on the sea and the tuning down that comes with the holidays, are at the heart of a selection of works that resonate with the architecture.

Inside the villa, a large sunset by Ugo Rondinone, gold-leaf Venitian blinds by Ann Veronica Janssens, a faceted mirror by Anish Kapoor and blue salt paintings by Pier Paolo Calzolari invite visitors to experience the ever-changing, elusive light that has fascinated artists through the ages. Daniel Buren’s alternating stripes, the thousands of needles that form Alicja Kwade’s ‘Entropies’, or Lee Ufan’s meditative brushstrokes on white canvases are possible attempts to measuring time, which oscillates between objective data and subjective perception. The explosion of colour on Sam Francis’ canvas is reminiscent of the shimmering Mediterranean flowers in the espalier garden. Outside, a nun by Ugo Rondinone and Alicja Kwade’s “Siège du monde” are invitations to contemplate and meditate.

Photos © Jean-François Jaussaud / Lux Productions