First edition
April 5–June 23, 2024
The City of Nîmes is launching a new contemporary art triennial, named Contemporaine de Nîmes, whose first edition will take place from April 5 to June 23, 2024, with an opening weekend on April 5, 6 and 7.
The artistic direction for this inaugural edition has been entrusted to the duo Anna Labouze & Keimis Henni. Entitled Une nouvelle jeunesse (A New Youth), it focuses on today’s youth, its concerns and relationships with preceding generations, through the concepts of heritage and transmission.
The project conceived by the artistic directors revolves around four main axes:
–A major multidisciplinary exhibition across the city, based on intergenerational dialogues between pairs of emerging and established or historic artists, from the French and international art scene;
–A dozen key events mainly focused on performing arts;
–Several “houses”, relays of the triennial in different parts of the city with artists’ residencies;
–An associated program developed in collaboration with several local cultural actors.
Most of the artistic projects were created specifically for the Contemporaine de Nîmes, in close relation with the local context and territory. Each project of the exhibition, events and “houses” includes a participatory dimension involving the inhabitants of Nîmes in its creation.
Exhibition: La Fleur et la Force (The Flower and the Strength)
The first Contemporaine de Nîmes is centered around a major exhibition entitled La Fleur et la Force (The Flower and the Strength). The exhibition follows an itinerary through the city center, bringing together twelve artistic projects in as many locations (museums, heritage sites, public spaces), each involving an intergenerational duo of an emerging artist and an established or historic artist, as well as a local community involved in its creation.
June Balthazard and Suzanne Husky at the Chapelle des Jésuites in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History, with students from the École supérieure des beaux arts de Nîmes.
Aïda Bruyère and Judy Chicago at the Musée des Cultures Taurines, with students from High school Alphonse Daudet specializing in visual arts.
Neïla Czermak Ichti and Baya at the Fine Arts Museum, with students from elementary schools Jean Macé and Marie Soboul.
Delphine Dénéréaz and Sonia Chiambretto on avenue Feuchères, with students from Junior high school Feuchères.
Alassan Diawara and Zineb Sedira at the Carré d’Art – Contemporary Art Museum and in public spaces, with local inhabitants and families.
Hugo Laporte and Katja Novitskova at Carré d’Art – Contemporary Art Museum.
Caroline Mesquita and Laure Prouvost on place du Chapitre, with students from kindergarten Chapitre.
Rayane Mcirdi and Virgil Vernier at Cinema Le Sémaphore, with women from the Pissevin and Valdegour neighborhoods.
Valentin Noujaïm and Ali Cherri on Rue Romaine in collaboration with the Musée de la Romanité, with students from High school Philippe Lamour specializing in cinema.
Prune Phi and SMITH at the Carré d’Art Library, with Nîmes’ library network and students from Junior high Révolution.
Jeanne Vicerial and Pierre Soulages at the Museum of Old Nîmes, with students from High school Ernest Hemingway’s design and arts & crafts program.
Feda Wardak and Tadashi Kawamata at the Jardins de la Fontaine, with young people from the Compagnons du Devoir de Nîmes.
Key events
Reflecting the triennial’s commitment to the performing arts, the program will feature a dozen key events, revisiting memories of childhood and youth, such as “La Boum”, a giant inaugural party in the Arena of Nîmes with artist Aïda Bruyère, choreographer Olivier Dubois, and the participation of 200 dance amateurs as well as students from the Lycée Alphonse Daudet specializing in visual arts.
Among the artists: Uèle Lamore, Ndayé Kouagou, Mohamed Bourouissa.
Houses
Several venues outside the city center will act as relays for the triennial, hosting festive and convivial events, as well as offering informative, educational and meeting facilities dedicated to the Contemporaine. They will also welcome artists-in-residence who will carry out participatory projects with local inhabitants and structures.
Associated program
A number of the city’s cultural venues and artistic initiatives will be presenting projects echoing the theme of this first edition, including: Carré d’Art—Contemporary Art Museum, CACN—Contemporary Art Center, ésban—École supérieure des beaux-arts de Nîmes, Pamela artist-run space, Cinéma Le Sémaphore, Lycée Alphonse Daudet, Da Storm, Nîmes s’illustre, Étant donné, Festival DELCO, Negpos—Centre d’art photographique…
Information
Dates: April 5–June 23, 2024
Opening weekend: April 5–7
Location: Nîmes, France
Press contacts
Agnès Renoult Communication, T +33 (0)1 87 44 25 25
International press: Miliana Faranda, miliana [at] agnesrenoult.com
French national press: Saba Agri, saba [at] agnesrenoult.com
