Learn about a memorable French Art Festival
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| Your Hotel Room in France was a French Art Exhibit?! |
| In this lesson, we’re going to learn about a memorable French Art Festival. I’m Becky, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 6 - Your Hotel Room in France was a French Art Exhibit?! |
| During the summer, between Nantes and Saint Nazaire, the biannual estuary contemporary art festival, in French festival d’art takes place. On the estuary of the river Loire between these two cities, artists come and set up their artworks or architectural contemporary art pieces. Villages and industrial sites around the area are invaded by tourists during the summer months, and almost everything is free, or in French gratuit. |
| There’s no doubt that you’ll always be able to find incredible pieces at this festival, such as the one made by Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi, which is a hotel room around a fountain with a statue. People could visit it during the day, and in the evening it was rented, just like a real hotel room. Another memorable example was shown at The National Center for Contemporary Arts and Music Venue, or in French Le Lieu Unique la scène nationale of Nantes, in which Thomas McIntosh broadcasted frequencies through speakers in a gigantic water fountain. These frequencies created waves, or vagues, on the water, which were then projected onto a screen through a light play. The audience was transported outside of time, into another universe. At a different event, in Saint Nazaire, Felipe Varini painted warehouses and silos of the port. If one stood in one precise location, everything was coordinated to form perfect geometric forms. But in reality, the structures were several hundred meters apart. The play of perspectives was incredible! |
| This event allows people to rediscover the estuary, or estuaire. During this period, it’s a good idea to take the shuttle in order to have the chance to appreciate all the artwork from the river Loire. Once there, it’s recommended to visit the countryside, small villages, industrial sites, and especially the refineries, specialized in poetry, or poésie. |
| So listeners, how did you like this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Have you ever seen a memorable piece of work such as those mentioned in this lesson? |
| Until next time! |
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