Cultural events

From his youth spent in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Daniel Melingo has retained the memory of authentic characters and introduced them into his songs : small-time thugs, loose girls... Far from the tango of the drawing-room, his musical style is much more raw, the “prototango” as he calls it, with lyrics borrowed from street people’s slang. A judicious blend of banter and lyricism... October 12th, Théâtre La passerelle, Gap (04 92 52 52 52).

With Karl Biscuit handling design and musical composition and Marcia Barcellos entrusted with choreography and costumes, the new show proposed by the Système Castafiore company is very promising... “Renée en botanist dans plans hyperboles” is touted as a dreamlike work that perfectly combines metaphysics and marvels. An absolute must, kicking off the 2012-2013 season. Until September 30th, la Malmaison, Cannes (04 97 06 44 90).

Divided into seven parts under topics such as “Modernity and identity : think architecture here and now” or “The temptation of the sublime : on the theme of large dimensions”, this ambitious exhibition focuses on modern and contemporary experiments conducted in the Var. Twenty-one properties or ensembles serve as examples, including the Palais de Justice in Draguignan, the Villecroze Music Academy and the Lycée Albert Camus in Fréjus. Sketches, original plans, photographs, traditional or digital models, interviews with architects and sculptures provide food for thought in this fascinating foray into the world of architecture. Until november 18th, Hôtel des Arts, Toulon (04 94 91 69 18).

Even if you missed the first “Festen”, you will have no difficulty understanding the story of this follow-up, again adapted and staged by Daniel Benoin, and based on the work by Thomas Vinterberg. The play takes place on the day of the father’s funeral (“Festen” was being played on his birthday) and here again, it begins as a comedy, then switches to tragedy, taking us into the hearts of this tormented family. From September 28th to December 2nd, Théâtre National de Nice (04 93 13 90 90).

In a decor staging a kitchen, restaurant and old-fashioned café, the exhibition entitled “Passez à table, les restaurants à Menton 1860-1936” encompasses all the various aspects of dining in restaurants : customs and traditions at table, menus, kitchen and dining-room staff, supplies... For those who enjoy a good meal and a touch of history. Until October 1st, Palais de l’Europe, Menton (04 92 10 33 06).

Furniture or artwork, blown-glass, “pâte de verre” or flat glass, all the objects on display come from the CIRVA collection (“Centre International de Recherche sur le Verre et les Arts Plastiques”). “The Temptation of Glass” is the 20th exhibition organized by the Émile Hugues Foundation in the Château de Villeneuve. Each room in this impressive building is dedicated to the creations of one artist or a single major artwork, inviting vistors to explore many different worlds. On his tour, the spectator encounters large pink “loukoums”, a hanger for a kimono, a mask, balls, planets and many other wonderful installations celebrating the CIRVA’s 25 years of creativity. Until November 18th, Château de Villeneuve, Vence (04 93 58 15 78).

When kinetic art and optical art get together, they produce works of a voluntarily unstable character which plunge the spectator into a state of vertigo. The works on display here, 85 in all, neons, mobiles and sculptures, perfectly illustrate the theme. An attractive and interactive exhibition ! Until November 4th, Villa Datris, Isle-sur-la Sorgue (04 90 95 23 70).

About 30 paintings by Bonnard, Monet, Vuillard and Matisse bear witness to the friendly relations they shared with each other. The exhibition is divided into three parts: “Bonnard, Vuillard and the Nabis : crossed portraits”, “Bonnard and Monet : nature, from simplicity to excessiveness” and “Bonnard and Matisse : variations on the theme of the window”. Until September 16th, musée Bonnard, Le Cannet (04 93 94 06 06).

A founding member of New Realism, artist and “appropriator of posters”, Jacques Villeglé produced a very original body of work that inspired both Pop Art and Arte Povera. A fine tribute is now being paid to him with this fascinating retrospective. By collecting street posters which had been torn by anonymous hands and transforming them into works of art, Jacques Villeglé showed intuition and a sense of relevance. The “poorness” of his materials led him to reveal a creative generosity which is still warmly admired. Until September 16th, musée d’art contemporain, Marseille (04 91 14 66 25)

Portraits, indoor scenes and cityscapes are the three genres of classic painting to be found in Aurore Valade’s photographs. She gets her models - men, women, girls, mothers, grandmothers - to pose in their worlds, in very intimate and meticulous stagings, to share with us part of their everyday lives... Until September 1st, galerie Sintitulo, Mougins (04 92 92 13 25).

The family of Henri Matisse has just made an extraordinary gift to the Museum dedicated to his work. Infact, over 400 “cut-out gouache elements on paper not used by Henri Matisse in his works” are now reunited to throw further light on this new field of creation explored by the artist in his day. Until september 23rd, musée Matisse, Nice (04 93 81 08 08).

Between May 1931 and January 1933, the Dakar-Djibouti mission took place under the aegis of Marcel Griaule, with Michel Leiris, Gaston-Louis Roux, André Schaeffner, Jean Mouchet, Déborah Lifchitz, Abel Faivre, Jean Moufle and Eric Lutten. It enabled them to bring back 3,600 objects, 300 manuscripts, 6,000 photographs, 200 sound recordings and scientific material, revealing the richness of the African people. This summer exhibition offers the opportunity to re-live this adventure while applauding Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles for playing the part of patrons in the enterprise. Until September 30th ,Villa Noailles, Hyères (04 98 08 01 98).

“Le Monde Voilé” by Ralph Samuel Grossmann is comprised of magnificent photographs of clouds. The artist also breathes life into sculptures he calls “Les Modélisations”. All these works reveal undeniable talent and treat anyone looking at them to a moment of escapism... Until September 30th, Musée de la Mer, île Sainte-Marguerite, Cannes (04 93 38 55 26).

Homage to this artist who “spent a lifetime learning to draw like a child”. The exhibition entitled “Picasso, les Chemins du Sud”, in reference to his stays on the Côte d’Azur, in Vallauris, Cannes and Mougins, spans 27 years of creativity. It consists of paintings, sculptures, but also photograms and photomontages produced in collaboration with André Villers. Until September 30th, la Malmaison, Cannes (04 97 06 44 90).

Hand-painted in acrylic on aluminum, using a sponge, Fabiola Govare’s portraits exercise real magnetic power over their spectators. The artist shapes the faces starting with the eyes, to which she gives incredible depth. These gazes become intriguing, even spell-binding. From her many travels around the world, Fabiola has retained a particular fondness for the people of Africa and Brazil, devoting a large part of her work to them. In her gallery of multicoloured characters, she uses a lot of white, making her paintings very luminous. She also produces sculptures in the "primitive” genre. From September 15th to October 13th, galerie Michel Estades, Toulon (04 94 89 49 98).

An unusual approach : “Ose C Lavie” is staged in a villa ! Created by the company Artmacadam, the show combines music, theatre, dance and painting. Six dancers, an artist and a musician-composer have put together a very original artistic performance, offering the audience a thought-provoking reflection on our relationship with the world. September, from 14th to 16th, la Maison Abandonnée (Villa Cameline), Nice (06 60 984 988).

To participate in the “Mirror Mirror” project, all the artists borrowed inspiration from the life of singer Suzy Solidor. Twenty-nine creators from fourteen different countries have come up with unique pieces. Highly original objects and jewellery, in homage to their muse. Until september 23rd, Espace Solidor, Cagnes-sur-Mer (04 93 22 19 25).

In the exhibition “Acte V” at the Réattu Museum, “Scène 2” unveils works by Picasso from Arles while “Scène 3” hosts an equally prestigious guest by the name of Christian Lacroix. The fashion designer follows up an experience he had already accepted in 2008 in this establishment. About forty carefully selected costumes thus rub shoulders with works by the world-famous Pablo, who long ago donated 57 drawings to the museum and town of Arles. Two other major works by the artist, a portrait of this mother and that of Lee Miller in Arlésienne costume, are also on display. Until december 30th, musée Réattu, Arles (04 90 49 37 58).

Often the subject of controversy yet regarded as one of the 20th century’s greatest painters, Gérard Gasiorowski proposes a rich production of rare diversity. Under the amusing tile, “Vous êtes fou Gasiorowski, il faut vous ressaisir...”, this highly original exhibition presents for the first time all of his “Stances” together with his main works in large format. Until september 26th, Fondation Maeght, Saint-Paul (04 93 32 81 63).

Nils-Udo composes very disturbing photographs. He in fact creates installations made of minerals and plants which are then captured by his lens. He is also the author of superb oils on canvas and a series of works in Indian ink. Two film screenings revealing his “work in progress” complete this exhibition dedicated to his work. Until October 7th, centre d’art Campredon, Isle-sur-La Sorgue (04 90 38 17 41).