I flew half way around the world, from California to the French Riviera. Why?? You’d be very right to ask. The weather is just as great, the food a bit better but the same Le Grand Bleu experience awaits.
Miquel Barceló, Alycastre (2018)
If you must know, I went there because of…soccer!
Along the way I explored many museums and countless foundations. One of them is Fondation Carmignac, on the island of Porquerolles.
Fondation Carmignac, Porquerolles
A corporate foundation created in 2000 by Edouard Carmignac, it boasts a colorful contemporary art collection and supports the Photojournalism Award which rewards an investigative reportage each year.
Nested on the island of Porquerolles, the vistas are breathtaking. Enjoyed during an artful treasure hunt in the gardens where monumental site-specific sculpture installations are scattered, Mediterranean landscapes also come round from the gallery space, perfectly framed by ribbon windows à la Le Corbusier.
I found it impossible to resist the azur of the Mediterranean sky set against the delicate greens of shrubs and pines.
Fondation Carmignac, Porquerolles
Porquerolles being an island, the water theme is omnipresent in both the architecture of the Fondation space and the artworks in the collection. The movie The Big Blue comes to mind often, particularly as the open skylight of the main gallery is basically topped by a shallow pool of water.
Water reflections grace the gallery space walls, shimmering as I explored the collection walking barefoot as if holding my breath under water (yes, you read well, this is an art pilgrimage you are required to take bare feet!). And with an exhibition titled Sea of Desire, the mood is clearly set.
Ed Ruscha, Sea of Desire (2018)
The collection is strong, with Roy Lichtenstein and Gerhard Richter well represented. Here are a few of my favorite highlights.
Living in California, I am more than partial to Ed Ruscha so seeing three of his works getting prime spots was a real treat.
Ed Ruscha, The Study of Friction and Wear on Mating Surfaces (1983)
Ed Ruscha, Level as a Level (2002)
With a definite eye for photography, I was thrilled to also discover new artists such as Dinh Q. Lê.
Last but not least, the Gardens.
Jean Denant, La Traversée / The Crossing
With works from Ugo Rondinone and Jaume Plensa, I was already won over.
Yet Jeppe Hein’s Path of Emotions won the popular vote as it was the one my kids and I spent the most time interacting with.
Fondation Carmignac is an art island within an island on the Mediterranean Sea. Hold your breath and dive into its art: you’ll be surprised how you don’t need to come up for air for some time.
© 2018 Ingrid Westlake
All pictures by Ingrid Westlake, unless otherwise stated.
It looks so serene and peaceful. Art, silence and Le Grand Bleu! Thank you for sharing all these wonderful snapshots of tranquility, Ingrid. I find myself most intrigued by Dinh Q. Lê’s photography.
I am so glad you enjoyed a little escape to Fondation Carmignac through my blog, Gabriela 🙏🏼
Dinh Q. Lê intrigued me greatly too: I loved how two pictures are woven together beautifully revealing the light and shadow of one face 😍
De l’eau, du bleu, de la lumière, …de belles sensations sur cette ile…et les jardins sublimes qui invitent à la rêverie …tes mots et tes images nous transportent! j’adore Path of Emtion and the Crossing.
Oui, tellement beau, ce cadre de rêve et ces oeuvres tissées dans la nature et l’architecture! Bien contente de t’y faire voyager virtuellement visuellement en attendant que vous puissiez y aller réellement.
Drôles les photos des enfants qui imitent les statues!
Ils aiment interacter avec l’art et c’est un de mes plaisirs que de capturer ces jeux en photo😂
Alors la un grand merci encore pour cet article très intéressant d’une fondation que je ne connaissais pas alors que Porquerolles j’y vais fréquemment. Ces photos d’extérieur avec ce bleu bien vif et ce vert qui mettent bien en valeur les oeuvres d’art vont laisser place a ma reverie et je t’en remercie!
Ravie de te faire découvrir cet endroit magnifique, Julie. La Fondation a ouvert en Juin cette année, l’occasion de la visiter lors de ta prochaine visite sur Porquerolles. Moment sublime et j’ai eu un temps splendide toute la semaine, presque mieux qu’à SD, c’est dire 😉
Merci beaucoup pour ton feedback et ton ressenti😘
Et dire que nous faisons une virée en bateau tous les 2 ans sur les îles de Port-Clos et Porquerolles et c’est toi qui nous fais découvrir des secrets cachés de ces lieux magnifiques ! Tu es incroyable Ingrid ! Merci de nous faire découvrir cette Fondation !
Tu es adorable, Nathalie! Et quelle chance, tu pourras visiter la Fondation lors de ta prochaine visite à Porquerolles. La Fondation n’a ouvert que cette année donc c’est normal que tu ne l’aies pas vu avant 😉 Mais définitivement à explorer la prochaine fois!
What an originality this place proposal for an exhibition of contemporary art !
The water, the blue sky, the pines, the sun …. and all this collection !!!
To walk in this garden and discover paintings in nature ….. what an escape !!
I like “Jeppe Hein, Path of Emotions” this glass labyrinth, it reminds me of an old post where you showed mirrors in the desert …
You have such a good eye, Marie-Annick! Yes, the Jeppe Hein labyrinth was a stunning piece to experience, explore and get lost into. The kids loved it as much as I did🙏🏼 And yes, back in the very early days of the blog, I published on Desert X in which Philip K. Smith III had a stunning mirror piece reflecting the desert of Palm Springs and the surrounding mountain caps. I will reshare the link. Thank you for reading as always, and Merry Christmas🎄
https://reinventingrid.com/?s=Desert+x
thank you Ingrid for the link !! Merry Christmas to the whole family become American!