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Lille 2004
European Capital of Culture
Cobbled streets and impressive Flemish
architecture dominate the landscape of beautiful Lille, capital of
Northern France. 2004 will be a pivotal year for Lille as it is the
co-host of European Union's Capital of Culture 2004 along with Genoa,
Italy. Since receiving the honor much work has been done to showcase
the beauty, historical significance and cultural treasures of Lille to the
watching world.
Her history is varied and through the
centuries Lille was attractive to many, including Flemish, French and
Spanish Conquerors. In 2004 the city would appreciate being conquered by
art lovers intent on absorbing her cultural gifts if not her strategic
ones like their forbearers in time. It wasn't until 1667 that Lille
returned to the French thanks to the marriage of Louis the Fourteenth and
Maria Thérèsa of Spain. Of course the advantage of these many influences
over the centuries brought a wealth of architectural, and cultural
diversity to the city.
Lille's main square is named for one of
their natives - General Charles de Gaulle. There is a museum dedicated to
the history of this former President of France. Currently
the museum is closed for renovations but is scheduled to reopen in
November 2003 in plenty of time to participate in Lille 2004. The museum
originally was the home of de Gaulle's grandmother and his birthplace
Not to be missed is the second largest
museum in Europe after the Louvre in Paris - the Musée des Beaux-Arts de
Lille which houses a phenomenal collection of masters from Rubens to Goya
to Picasso. Included within the Musée's collections are
Ruben's Descent from the Cross, Goya's Young and Old Women,
and Delacroix's Medea, to name just a few of the impressive
collection of masterworks.
Rubens: March 6, 2004 - June 14, 2004
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lille, will
host the featured event of Lille 2004 the Rubens Exhibition.
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Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was
born in Antwerp. His talents were enhanced during his long stay in
Italy where he drew upon the works of the masters of ancient and
Renaissance art for his inspiration. The Rubens
Exhibition will feature works from the Royal Antwerp Fine Art Museum
and loans from around the world.
The goal of the exhibition is to
"situate Rubens at the heart of a flamboyant
Baroque Europe in which those who held temporal, intellectual and
spiritual power maintained a considerable influence over art."
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Title: Descent from the Cross,
Artist: Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish 1577-1640)
Courtesy www.lille-2004.com
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Rubens will be held in
conjunction with several complimentary international exhibitions in
Antwerp, Belgium, such as Rubens the Collector at the
Rubenshuis and From Delacroix to Courbet - Rubens Under Discussion
at the Royal Antwerp Fine Art Museum, both of these Belgian exhibits will
run from March 16-June 13, 2004. And of course as discussed in the
September 2003 edition of International Art Treasures, Genoa, Italy will
host the The
Age of Rubens: Genovese Homes, Patrons and Collectors exhibition as
she too enjoys her year as the European Union: Capital of Culture 2004 an
honor shared with Lille, France.
The complimentary exhibitions will be
national and local as well to focus on the incomparable Peter Paul Rubens.
Quarrel Between the Colorists
March 5, - June 6, 2004
The exhibit will be held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Arras.
Art is never without debate and among the notable historical dissensions
is the rivalry between the followers of Rubens and those who preferred the
style of Nicolas Poussin.
Contemporary artists are brought into this
theme with We Chose Rubens at the Palais Rameau, Lille from
March to June 2004. Twelve local contemporary artists will prepare an
exhibition drawing from the work of Rubens and delve further into themes
such as The New World, The Reformation, The Counter Reformation but
continue along various spectrum to contemplation, war, peace
and diplomacy; the discovery of new lands and many others.
Rubens is not the only feature of Lille
2004, far from it. The celebrations will open with the theme "Flower
Power" beginning in December 2003. The Flower Power theme will be
shown in some half dozen sites. Works will showcase classical to modern
works based on a theme of flowers. The exhibits will use real flowers or
artistic works based on flowers.
Title: EuraLille and Matisse Park
Photo Credit: Daniel Rapaich, City of Lille
Courtesy www.lille-2004.com
Flower Power will also make its appearance
at the EuraLille Esplanade. The contemporary architecture of the EuraLille
Esplanade will make a superb setting for groupings of multi-colored flower
sculptures by Japanese Artist, Yayoi Kusama. Several of Kusama's works are
now in Japanese museums. This will be the premiere of her permanent
sculptures in Europe.
The Palais des Beaux-Arts, Lille will be
the location of a contemporary exhibition on the "Flower Power"
theme featuring works of thirty artists including Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons
and Michael Lin. Masterpieces on the same theme from the 17th century will be
held concurrently at the Musee de L'Hospice Comtesse.
Matisse and the Colour of Fabrics
The exhibit will be at the Musée Departemental Matisse, Cateau-Cambresis is an exhibition to
explore the relationship of color in the artist's work. This collection
has been amassed from major museum collections of Matisse's work including
the Hermitage. The display will include photographs and fabrics owned by
the artist.
Dress/Dream: Dreams of DressesOrganized to showcase textile
design on the themes of festival, color, and contemporary creation.
Featured designers include Channel, Dior, Callot Soeurs, Maynbocher, and
Vionnet. This exhibition is one of many scheduled for the summer of 2004
and will be displayed at the Calais Art and Lace Museum.
In the autumn Picasso and the Applied Arts will be a
display of the artist's lesser known interest in jewelry and glass making.
This will be on display at the Roubaix Museum of Art and Industry.
The above are just a few highlights of an incredible year long program
of events and exhibitions to mark Lille's year as the EU Capital of
Culture and there are even more activities planned to showcase Lille.
The Maisons Folie
Lille wanted to add the unexpected to their year in the spotlight.
They have decided to include festive enchantment in unexpected locations
focusing on Maisons Folie to represent a diverse, unusual and shared
culture.
Maisons Folie were boating residences for royal favorites and their
claim to fame was extravagant entertainment. The Bagatelle was built
within 74 days because of a bet between the Count of Artois and the Queen.
Known as "fairy-tale little palaces" the Folies were luxurious
and often ephemeral.
In a modern theme the Maisons Folie will be exceptional venues in
original locations - including former factories, a hospice, a farm, a
hotel, a fort, a brasseries and a church. The sites will become meeting
places and who knows--perhaps a visiting theatre troupe or artists may
appear. Represented will be the five continents from North African
rhythms, dancers from Burkina Faso, Japanese artists collective, Eastern
Europe with the Tire-Laine Company, and Jamaica at the Condition Publique
among others.
Title: LeClercq Factory
Courtesy www.lille2004.com
An example of one of the Maisons de Folie will be The LeClercq Factory
(above). This abandoned textile mill which dates back to the 1800's will
receive a modern face-lift with a difference. It's typical red brick style
will be enhanced with a futuristic encasement of stainless steel. This
contemporary design was created by architect Lars Spuybroek 's Dutch firm
NOX in collaboration with François Andrieux.
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Title: The Lille Opera House
Courtesy www.lille2004.com
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The world of music will also be well
represented at Lille during 2004. Mozart's works Cosi fan Tutte,
The Marriage of Figaro, Idomeneo and the Requiem will be
presented. Montiverdi's Orfeo, Il Combatimento, and Vespers
of the Virgin Mary will also be heard. Concerts will feature
works by Malher, Schoenberg, Chopin, Schuman, Offenback, Puccini,
Berlioz, Bach and Handel as well as the American musical The
Cradle will Rock.
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Lille has done so much to welcome the world in 2004. It's primary theme
is "metamorphosis : by becoming the European Capital of Culture; by
inviting inspired artists, visionaries, inventors of forms, bearers of
ideas and technologies from all corners of the globe, Lille 2004 will
embellish the face of the city forever more." It will be a new time
for Lille. And while focusing on one year the city looks ahead to the
future - Lille 2004 will be the expression of a city on the move,
innovative and audacious.
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