Venet Foundation, Le Muy. August 25, 2016

Marfa in Provence - In 1989 Bernar Venet set shop in Le Muy, half an hour drive West of Cannes. While living in NYC, Bernar Venet had met Donald Judd and traveled to Marfa, TX. He was so impressed by the Chinati Foundation that he decided to recreate a similar museum in the South of France: The Venet Foundation.

Isabelle had spotted online James Turrell installations being shown at the Venet Foundation. Being both fans of James Turrell, we took the car and went on another day trip to Provence, it was well worth the drive.

The Foundation is located on the outskirt of the village of Le Muy on the banks of  the Nartuby river, this is an enchanting site covered with beautiful trees (many planted by Venet) projecting their shadows over this unique sculpture garden.

James Turrell's new installations at the Venet Foundation are exhibited under the title "Inspire the Light" including the new skyspace - named Elliptic. As you enter inside, it feels like a white sculpture carved into the blue sky. 

Bernar Venet is renowned for his curved, mathematically precise metal sculptures. The Venet Foundation's 4 hectares are sprinkled with a selection of emblematic pieces of Venet's collection of conceptual and minimal art.  

The "Factory" hosts one of Venet's most emblematic work "l'Effondrement": A two hundred tons ephemeral steel structure that is "reformatted" on a regular basis. Several versions of l'Effondrement have been commissioned by Venet's clients. The original piece was presented at Miami Art Basel several years ago. 

The Frank Stella Chapel, designed by Frank Stella, features six of his recent large relief sculptures.

 "Marfa in Provence" was a special treat for us: the French Texans! 

We stopped on our way back to Italy to visit the Laleuf's in Mougins. Fun evening with Catherine, Bernard, Charlotte, Rodolphe and of course the little Paul around a fantastic bouillabaisse prepared by Catherine (highly recommended!).