FRANCE-NICE-MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART-CHAGALL MUSEUM
Jack
MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, promenade des Arts.
In the 80's a lot of provincial towns started building and managing
modern and contemporary museums. Generally they are disappointing,
cause the collections are of mediocre quality and lack real eshtetic
policy, just trying merely to copy Beaubourg. IN NICE, NOTHING LIKE
THAT. Nice is a lighthouse for the art of the 20th century. From
Impressionism to Fluxus, the list of artists that had their residence
in Nice is impressive : Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Renoir, Klein,
Raysse, Arman, Malaval, Ben....
Build in 4 towers of Carrara marble, connected by transparent
foot-bridges, the museum presents a didactic and complete survey of
contemporary art. On the second floor, discover the "Ecole de Nice" ,
a machine " Relief bleu" by Jean Tinguely or the delicate assemblage
of Daniel Spoerri ( look close at his work named " Hommage au jardin
d'hiver de Salomon Rothshild, there is a SURPRISE). Cesar and Arman
are also present with their varied and divers accumulations. But MOST
IMPORTANT don't miss the fabulous hall "Yves Klein" and his famous
"monochromes bleus" ( and also yellow and gold ! )
At the third floor it is the Pop-Art is represented massively by Andy
Warhol, James Rosenquist, Tom Wesselman, Roy Liechtenstein, Claes
Oldenburg and also Keith Haring and Gilbert and George.
Minimal Art and Color Field : Frank Stella, Sol Lewitt, Dan Flavin and
his neons. And, more playful, don't miss in any case the " Boutique de
Ben", a feast of humor, a unique vision of today's art. Ben, his real
name Benjamin Vautier, accumulated here his citations, completely
delirious objects most of the time turned away from their original
purpose .
Finally we can finish the visit by the terraces with their impressive
views on the city. And if you are hungry and would like a little
snack, at the foot of the museum you can eat until midnight at the
"Cafe Sud" . A bar with terrace, in full sun.
The MUSEE DU MESSAGE BIBLIQUE MARC-CHAGALL , avenue du Dr.Menard in
Cimiez is really a superb museum where you like to spend some time.
First of all, the site is very agreeable and restful. Park planted
with olive-trees, cypress-trees and green oaks. The architecture also
is very successful . The museum was specially conceived to house the
works of Chagall.
Thanks to the special wall disposition and the large glass
bay-windows, the light plays with the very colored paintings and
enhances them admirably. One can not stay insensible to the 17
monumental paintings forming the "Message Biblique". Twelve paintings,
very well laid out, represent the history of Noah, Abraham, Jacob and
Moses, the Creation of man and Paradise on earth , In another hall 5
others, dominantly red, illustrate the Song of Songs. We understand
now that for Chagall the bible was " the greatest source of
inspiration of all times".
To see also, the tapestry in the entry hall, the sculptures,
glass-stained windows of the concert hall and the exterior mosaics.
We may say, without any doubt, that this is the largest permanent
collection dedicated to Chagall.
---To finish your visit, go and have a drink in the park.
There are a lot more bigger and smaller interesting museums to see in
Nice. Describing them all would be quite fastidious and will finish
by be boring. And you all know that's not at all my style !!
So i just give a list of eventually visitable museums :
musee des Beaux-Arts Cheret, musee d'Art naif Anatole Jakovsky, musee
Terra Amata,( anthropology), musee Massena, musee Dufy, Villa Arson
(splendid patrician house of the 17th century), for contemporary art,
cafetaria, library and even chambres d'hote!)
We will leave Nice and explore the Nice hinterland ( back-country) in
next posting. Les Peillons and the "villages perches".
Put some gasoline in your rented car or be prepared for some bus or
short train rides :-)
Jack
hotel splendid
In addition to the Museums nicely described a new museum should open
next year:
Musee des arts asiatiques - asian arts museum
near the airport
in a beautiful building built by the japanese architect Tange
enjoy the future visit
michel
--
L'hotel Splendid est un hotel 4* recommande par Sofitel
http://www.cote-dazur.com/splendid
The Splendid is a 4* hotel, recommended by Sofitel
Le Gounod est un 3* de charme
http://www.cote-dazur.com/gounod
The Gounod is a charming 3* boutique hotel
Situes en plein centre ville sur une avenue residentielle et calme
Piscine,jacuzzi chauffe, garage, salles de confčrences, restaurant "le
concerto"
Located in city center on a quiet and residential street
Swimming pool, heated jacuzzi garage, conference facilities, "Le
Concerto" Restaurant