The Côte d'Azur and Provence still cultivate their taste for art and propose many exhibitions,
plays and other events all year long. Focus on our flourishing cultural activities.
An iconic figure in 17th-C. European painting, Caravaggio (1571-1610) is regarded as the undisputed master of chiaroscuro. Ten masterpieces, seven of which have never been shown in France, are on display in this event. Maintaining a dialogue with illustrious contemporary paintings, these exceptional works convey the artistic effervescence which then reigned in Rome. Until January 28th. Musée Jacquemart André, 158 bd Haussmann, Paris 8 (01 45 62 11 59).
Dispatched to Tokyo in 1964 to cover the summer Olympic Games, Raymond Depardon discovered a passion for images of sport and went on to cover five Olympiads, up until the Moscow Games in 1980. These powerful images, like the raised fists of Afro-American athletes in Mexico in 1968, form part of a hitherto unseen scenography comprised of over 130 photographs in black and white. Until February 17th. Musée National du Sport, stade Allianz Riviera, boulevard des Jardiniers, Nice (04 89 22 44 00).
Over 50 sculptures by Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966), all from the Giacometti Foundation's collection, are confronted by almost 25 works by other major artists such as Rodin, Bourdelle, Maillol... Offering a themed, chronological circuit, this exhibition sheds light on the development of the Giacometti style. Until January 20th. Musée Maillol, 59 -61 rue de Grenelle, Paris 7 (01 42 22 59 58).
A painter, sculptor, photographer, film producer and accomplished pianist, artist Cesare Catania of Milan exhibits his dramatic, colourfiul works all over the world : from the Louvre in Paris to museums of contemporary art in big cities and capitals. A selection of his canvases can be seen in the hotel in Monaco, where he set down his bags to meet a few collectors. Until January 15th. Méridien Beach Plaza, 22 av Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 93 30 98 80).
A modern tale paying homage to Man, the “Tale of Man” exhibition raises the question of his eternal survival over the horizons of time. How he should lay himself bare, return to his most basic condition, in order to reconnect with his environment and reflect on his future. Photographer Sébastien Véronèse has here produced an unprecedented series of very esthetic work, placing the history of art, philosophy and modernist architecture in perspective. A graphic world leaving room for dreams. Until September 12th. Hôtel Jules & Jim, 11 rue des Gravilliers, Paris 3 (01 44 54 13 13).
Comprised of 25 works (paintings, drawings and sculptures) produced from 1963 to 1993, this exhibition focuses on the way Tom Wesselmann portrays women, and offers a a balanced analysis of the relationship between the artist and his female subject. Seen as one of the major protagonists of American Pop Art and one of its greatest innovators, Tom Wesselmann (born in Ohio in 1931) is an essential figure in post-war American art. Until January 6th. Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, 56 boulevard du Jardin Exotique, Monaco.
For its 21st edition, the Festival of Russian Art will open by diving into the thousand year-old culture of the Crimean Tatar people, thanks to the virtuosos of the Tatarstan State Song and Dance Ensemble. On August 26th, Moscow's National Ballet and Opera Theatre will pay a vibrant homage to Marius Petipa, and on August 27th it will perform three masterpieces of classic ballet, "Scheherazade", "Chopiniana" and the "Polovtsian Dances". A gala dinner, opera and film screenings complete this prestigious programme. August from 18th to 27th. Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (www.palaisdesfestivals.com).
Almost 80% of the boats presented in this major event can be tried out at sea. An advantage which sets the Cannes Yachting Festival apart from most other boat shows. Small and large yachts, sail or power boats, monohulls or multihulls, toys, day-boats, semi-rigid models, tenders, new or secondhand yachts available for sale or hire… Sponsored by Maserati, this nautical gathering offers a very wide array of boats from 5 to 55 metres. September from 11th to 16th. Vieux-Port et Port Canto, Cannes (www.cannesyachtingfestival.com)
“Fan-Tan” exhibition A major player on the international art scene, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is presenting 50 works - two hitherto unseen - in Marseille, confronted by 50 objects from the Mucem collections. Entitled “Fan-Tan”, this first large-scale Ai Weiwei exhibition in France invites spectators to question conflicting concepts such as East and West, destruction and conservation, originality and reproduction..., while also reviewing the pertinence of our methods of interpretation. Until november 12th. Mucem, 7 Promenade Robert Laffont, Marseille 2 (www.mucem.org).
As part of the “Picasso-Méditerranée” event, the Musée de Vence has opted to compare the 20th century’s most industrious artist with those of generations that succeeded him. The core of the exhibition consists of an ensemble of sculptures created by Picasso in Cannes in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Until October 28th. Musée de Vence, Fondation Émile Hugues, 2 place du Frêne, Vence (04 93 58 15 78).
The exhibition entitled “Comfort#17” revolves around installations by Sabina Lang & Daniel Baumann, who have been chosen for the quality of their attentiveness and commitment to the premises in which they are displaying their work. Until September 29th. Le 109, 89 route de Turin, Nice (04 97 12 71 11).
The star of the festival - that welcomes, among others, Philippe Jaroussky and the Yaron Herman Trio - this Bösendorfer piano illustrated with drawings by Jean Cocteau is enthroned on the square of of the medieval town, and in the Jean Cocteau Museum. Those wanting to treat themselves will be able to order one of the 12 models proposed, priced from 113,850 to 126,650 €. Until August 11th. www.festival-musique-menton.fr
Once again, the atrium of Beaugrenelle has been transformed into an artistic showcase and is playing host this summer to culinary photographs by Martin Parr. Imagined by Manifesto and the prestigious Magnum photo agency, and under the mischievous eye of this artist who has observed eating habits all over the world for over two decades, this exhibition celebrates the dining experience with humour and extra-large photos. Until September 13th. Beaugrenelle Paris, 12 rue de Linois, Paris 15.
The spectacular season of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge - the most important series of international regattas reserved for classic and vintage sailboats - kicks off its Mediterranean circuit on the Côte d’Azur with the “Voiles d’Antibes” event. From May 30th to june 3rd. Antibes (www.voilesdantibes.com).
More than 100 major works by Foujita trace the exceptional life-style of this artist born in Tokyo in 1886, seen as the most "oriental" of Montparnasse painters. The exhibition mainly focuses on his first period in Paris, from 1913 to 1931. Until July 15th. Musée Maillol, 59-61 rue de Grenelle, Paris 7 (01 42 22 59 58).
Dedicated to Raymond Depardon, this exceptional photography exhibition entitled “Traverser” revolves around three main themes : the homeland, pain and confinement, with writing as their common thread. Organized in collaboration with the Henri-Cartier Bresson Foundation, the exhibition invites spectators to explore the work of this artist-reporter-director and founder of the Gamma agency, since his first steps on the farm until the present day. Until September 16th. Espace Lympia, 2 quai Entrecasteaux, port de Nice (04 89 04 53 10).
Richard Galliano, Renaud Capuçon, Kit Armstrong, Gauthier Capuçon, Arcadi Volodos, Natalie Dessay, Philippe Cassard... A long list of essential names from contemporary classical music is to be found on the bill of the 35th edition of this prestigious festival, passionately directed by Liliane Valsecchi. A great vintage ! From May 18th to June 20th. Biot (04 93 65 78 00 - www.biot.fr).
The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac has given "carte blanche" to artist-photographer Bettina Rheims and art critic-historian Philippe Dagen for this exhibition entitled "Vous êtes finies, douces figures". Attesting to strength and dignity in feminine mode, it proposes an unprecedented dialogue between the artist's photographs and African sculptures from the museum's collections. Until June 3rd Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, 37 Quai Branly, Paris 7 (01 56 61 70 00).
Azzedine Alaïa, Christian Lacroix, Issey Miyake, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kenzo Takada, Karl Lagerfeld, Thierry Mugler, Yves Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood... Leading names from the Golden Age of fashion have posed for the camera in surprising stagings that distinguish the work of photographer Jean-Marie Périer. The exhibition is comprised of 25 rare photographs. Until May 12th. Photo 12 Galerie, 14 rue des Jardins Saint-Paul, Paris 4 (01 42 78 24 21).
More than simply a new exhibit, "Au Diapason du Monde" unveils a new selection of works from the Louis Vuitton Foundation's permanent collection, aiming to explore Man's place in the universe and the new approach linking him with the environment. Until August 27th. Fondation Louis Vuitton, 8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Paris 16 (01 40 69 96 00).
