Cultural events

Since it was invented, the automobile has turned everything upside down. Cities adapted to it by providing roads and parking facilities, rural areas sacrificed their precious space and comfort to accommodate motorways, new skills and jobs came into being... Nowadays, this means of transport is synonymous with technology and a symbol of consumption. Whether a saloon, limousine, convertible or family car, the automobile has also inspired the world of art, as evidenced by this exhibition entitled “L’Automobile dans tous ses États”. It consists of 130 different works (maquettes, paintings, sketches, sculptures, photographs…) bearing signatures as prestigious as those of Arman, César, Vasarely… Until January 20th, Hôtel des Arts, Toulon (04 94 91 69 18).

With “La Contrebasse”, Patrick Süskind whisks us into the world of his character, a musician both impassioned and frustrated, in a captivating monologue. Taking up the role once played so brilliantly by Jacques Villeret, Clovis Cornillac proves himself capable of meeting the challenge. From January 18th to February 2nd, Théâtre National de Nice (04 93 13 90 90).

One is celebrating its 14th edition, another has just seen the light of day. “Janvier dans les Étoiles” and “Cirque en Corps” pay tribute to Living Art by proposing an eclectic line-up of regional and international performers. Many troupes will participate to shine the spotlight on the diversity and enchantment of circus culture. Among others, the audience will be able to admire the amazing feats of Cahin-caha (France), Cirkus Cirkör (Sweden), Cirk La Putyka (Czech Republic) and Karakasa Circus (Italy/Russia/Roumania) on the trapeze, tightrope, stilts, in juggling, skate-boarding etc... From January 24th, until February 3rd at the espace chapiteaux des Sablettes, La Seyne-sur-Mer (04 98 00 25 70) and until February 24th at the CREAC and the parc Chanot, Marseilles (04 91 55 61 64).

Launched in 1984, the Compagnie Arketal is composed of Greta Bruggeman, stage designer and creator of marionnettes, and Sylvie Osman, puppeteer and producer. Together, they have since staged many shows, each one more marvellous than the last. The exhibition “Puppet Time” enables us to rediscover their marionnettes and obtain a deeper understanding of all their artistic work. Until February 17th, Espace Miramar, Cannes (04 97 06 45 24).

Laurent de Wilde and Jacques Gamblin work in complicity, mixing words and notes, making everything swing, in this uninhibited and off-beat show. Gamblin tells stories, sings, improvises and demonstrates other kinds of energy, vibrancy and talent than those for which he is already well-known. January 25th and 26th, Théâtre de Grasse (04 93 40 53 00).

A father suffering from amnesia since the death of his wife, two sisters and a brother, two fake cousins and a doctor, the guardian of everyone’s health, who delivers his diagnosis of this fragile community, gradually rotting away. These are the characters in the play “La Maladie de la Famillle M.”, signed Fausto Paradivino and performed by the troupe of the Comédie-Française. January 31st and February 1st, Théâtre Liberté, Toulon (04 98 00 56 76).

Catherine Issert opened her art gallery in 1975. Since then, artists have followed in succession and their works have resounded, and still resound, within these walls entirely dedicated to international trends in contemporary art. The exhibit entitled “Moi & les Autres” offers us the chance to form an opinion of the wide arrray of talent which has been displayed and re-live some of the highlights by taking a second look at some of their works. Albérola, Ben, Blais, Broccolichi, Castellas, Descamps, Ghelloussi, Hamu, Morellet, Pagès, Pesce, Pinaud, Schiess, Schmitt, Theunis, Traquandi, Viallat and Wolska participate in the show. Until January 26th, Galerie Catherine Issert, Saint-Paul de Vence (04 93 32 96 92).

This is an opportunity to live a unique experience with Frédéric Lanovsky : to admire his gigantic sculptures and the totally original water-colour he has produced here in the museum, but also to meet him in person. He has, in fact, set up an ephemeral studio on the first floor and invites the public to share some very special moments in creative art. Until January 25th, Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky, Nice (04 93 71 78 33).

Terez Montcalm’s reinterpretations of legendary titles such as “Voodoo Child, “Sweet Dreams”, “Where the Streets have no Name”, “C’est extra”, still echo in our ears. This Canadian vocalist with such a special voice (also a composer and guitarist) borrows the repertory of Shirley Horn, thus paying tribute to one of the world’s greatest jazz-singers, who passed away in 2005. December 11th, théâtre des Salins, Martigues (04 42 49 02 00).

Since 1986, Fabrice Hyber has delved into the human cosmos through paintings he describes as “homeopathic”. He has now completed thirty of them, and it is with the presentation of about twenty or so that he confirms that he is well and truly one of the most inventive artists of his generation. For the first time, “Essentiel” assembles his large-format works, designed as amalgams with an accumulation of drawings, writings, objects and photos, rather like story-boards. Compositions allowing him to express his thoughts and which thus carry a weighty homeopathic value. Until January 6th, Fondation Maeght, Saint-Paul de Vence (04 93 32 81 63).

Lucien Clergue has adopted this appealing theme to reveal one aspect of his work : nudes photographed from the most unexpected angles ! We partly owe our enjoyment of these magnificent shots to Picasso, who was not mistaken about Lucien Clergue’s talent and quite rightly encouraged his early efforts... Until January 5th, Espace Soardi, Nice (04 93 62 32 03).

As part of the “Leçons du Thoronet”, Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura (Pritzker Prize 2011) took up an interest in the light in the cellars and the way in which visits of the abbey are organized. He thus designed a very long flat LED lighting system, then ten numbered and engraved plaques bearing the names of the various locations. Until December 31st, Abbaye du Thoronet.

Alongside the exhibition of Martin Morrrell’s photographs entitled “Indian Figures”, the museum proposes “Figures d’hommes”, consisting of portraits from the 15th to 19th centuries. A chance to observe the democratization of this artistic discipline, once solely used to pay homage to the powerful and offer them posterity. Here one sees men young or old, elegant or more humble, notables or military men, drawn in black lead, painted in oils or water-colour by French, Dutch, English and German artists. Portraits true to their models or more stylized, if not allegorico-mythological, as in the case of Jean Alaux by Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres… Until December 31st, musée Fragonard, Grasse (04 93 36 02 07).

Would you like to take a trip back in time to the heart of other civilizations ? Accept this invitation extended by the MAAOA. Its collection has been recently enriched by an ensemble of American-Indian feather head-dresses brought back by Dr. Marcel Heckenroth who did his visiting rounds on the Oyapock River from 1939 to 1942. From November 15th, Musée d’Arts Africains, Océaniens, Amérindiens, Marseille (04 91 14 58 38).

During a stay as artist in residence, and in response to a photo commission from the Villa Noailles, Cécile Bortoletti set off to discover the region basking in a surprisingly luxuriant nature. Her lens lingered on certain details and many of her shots are rather kaleidoscopic. Landscapes, vegetation, sturdy trees, ailing palms, the burning sun, buildings, paths, gardens… Nothing escapes the gaze of Cécile Bortoletti. For this artist who has also worked in theatre, cinema and fashion (on Issey Miyake campaigns), and who lives and works in Paris, this year spent in the South was certainly an enriching experience. Visitors will enjoy sharing it… Until January 13th, Villa Noailles, Hyères (04 98 08 01 98).

Noëlle Perna and her incredible fushia dress are back on stage for an ecologically-minded show. “Mado remet sa Tournée” hopes to fill clients in her “Bar des Oiseaux” with lots of fresh energy. Renewable energy, of course ! December 10th and 11th, Casino du Palais de la Méditerranée, Nice (04 97 25 81 36).

An exhibition dedicated to ancient buildings which hosted shows in Gaul was organized in 2010 by the Municipality of Fréjus (Heritage Department) and L’Inrap, in collaboration with the Arles Antique Departmental Museum, the Museum of Archaeology of Nîmes and the Archaeological Mission of Aix-en-Provence. In 2012, it was developed and adapted by the Museum of Archeology of Antibes. Until January 6th, musée d’archéologie, Antibes (04 92 90 53 31).

He has fashioned this “Baby Bear”, “Bull”, “Boar”, “Otter”, “Hippopotamus” and various birds meticulously and with evident passion. Using bronze, pewter, stone, wood or poly-marble, Guy Gueymann gives shape to animals with pure lines, curves and bone structures, so carefully worked that one can guess at their movement. From December 1st to January 12th, Galerie Michel Estades, Toulon (04 94 89 49 98).

When the Palais Longchamp in Marseille is on display in the Palais Carnolès in Menton, the event is certainly not to be missed ! For two whole years (from 2005 to 2007), Michel Eisenlohr took photos of the Phocean building. In black-and-white, from every possible angle, this monument of local heritage is revealed as never before. A “château d’eau” with pond and fountain, a Fine Arts Museum, Museum of Natural History, a public park and observatory all at the same time, it has been revisited in all four seasons, by day and by night, in its chapels, archives, service stairways and basements, by an attentive artist with a tender eye who now presents us with his romantic vision. Until January 7th, musée des beaux-arts, Palais Carnolès, Menton (04 93 35 49 71).

In follow-up to “Lumières sur Bugatti”, the Museum is proud to present its new exhibition, “Lumières sur un siècle de génie automobile français”, or French car design in the 20th century. Alongside legendary models produced by engineers and body-builders, a superb collection of chandeliers adds further brilliance to the event. From december 14th to January 16th, Mathieu Museum, Gargas (04 90 74 92 40).