Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Also making a splash in modern-art circles
was native Niçois Arman (1928-2005), who
became known for his trash-can portraits,
made by framing the litter found in the sub-
ject's rubbish bin, and Martial Raysse, born in
Golfe-Juan in 1936, renowned for pioneering
the use of neon in art: his 1964 portrait of
Nissa Bella (Beautiful Nice)
- a flashing blue heart on a human face - is typical.
Klein, Arman and Raysse were amongst the nine people to found New Realism in
1960. The movement was one of several avant-garde trends of the time and was often per-
ceived as the French interpretation of American pop art. In 1961 another prominent
Provençal artist, Marseillais César Baldaccini (1921-1998), known for his crushed cars
and scrap metal art, joined the New Realists' rank, as did Niki de Saint Phalle
(1930-2002), famous for her huge, colourful papier mâché sculptures.
Nice's Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain has one of the best collections of
New Realist artists' works; the building itself is a work of art, too.
Yves Klein's famous blue became more than a sig-
nature colour: it was actually patented. It is now
known in art circles as International Klein Blue (or
IKB), a deep, bright hue close to ultramarine.
CONTEMPORARY ART
One look at the portfolio of Documents d'Artistes (
www.documentsdartistes.org
), an association in Marseille that
catalogues and diffuses the work of contemporary regional artists around the world, proves that contemporary art
is well and truly alive in Provence: be it tracing a line along the surface of the planet, creating sound installations,
or producing inflatable or mechanical art, it is all happening here.
There are many galleries where you can admire contemporary art. In Marseille, make a beeline for exhibition
space La Friche La Belle de Mai; in Arles, check the Fondation Vincent van Gogh; or amble the gallery-lined
streets of St-Paul de Vence and Mougins.
