A psychedelic trip into architecture: the Vasarely Foundation
If you are in Provence, don't miss the Vasarely Foundation at Aix-en-Provence. Luciano Panella reports.
The whole place looks like the set of a science-fiction film of the late '60s: a huge black and white hexagon standing out on a big lawn by a motorway at Jas de Bouffan, just outside the centre of the beautiful and relaxing Aix.
The building is formed by six hexagonal rooms, each wall displaying one enormous work of Victor Vasarely's kinetic art, art in movement. Black and white patterns, coloured spheres and other geometrical shapes, like the infinite column, a long sculptured column set between two mirrors, giving the sense of the infinite form.
The Foundation opened in 1976 after the idea of Vasarely, who wanted to create a cultural centre, not only a museum, but a place where architects, urbanists and sociologists could discuss together, in search of new solutions for the ideal "city of tomorrow".
The site itself was chosen by Vasarely: it was close to a motorway and car drivers travelling along could clearly perceive the sense of movement in the design of this building. Then, Jas de Bouffan had been the home of one of Vasarely's favourite artists, the French painter Cézanne.
Vasarely's style influenced deeply its time and brought many imitators among designers and architects. Some of his ideas have unfortunately proven utopian but his desire to integrate art into architecture and everyday life is still valid and gives his whole work a curiously contrasting sense of warmth and passion.
Fondation Vasarely
1, avenue Marcel Pagnol
Jas de Bouffan
13090 Aix-en-Provence
Tel. +33(0)4 42 20 01 09
[Published 2 September 2001]
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| Comments: | |
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| Musheasau | feb 14 2006 10:09PM |
| http://www.geocities.com/mannaseeyah | |
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| This is the way to Zion... I only wish people would choose not to desecrate the most high. | |
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| cody green | nov 11 2005 9:19AM |
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| so what im a fagot | |
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| andy radabaugh | nov 11 2005 9:17AM |
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| Cody Green is a fagit | |
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| travis williams | nov 11 2005 9:15AM |
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| you suck | |
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| charles wallace | okt 31 2001 12:46AM |
| http://www.hqmusic.net | |
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| Keep these articles coming. One of my favorite aspects to this website! Victor Vasarely should be an inspiration to us all! Thanx Luciano | |
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