Fondation Vasarely, Art museum in Aix-en-Provence, France.
The Fondation Vasarely is a museum in Aix-en-Provence whose building, designed by Victor Vasarely, is 90 metres long, 45 metres wide and 12 metres high, made of 16 juxtaposed hexagonal cells. Its anodized aluminium facades alternate large black circles on silver and silver circles on black, and a stylised black-and-silver rendering of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Inside, 42 monumental integrations, each 6 by 8 metres, are set into the architecture.
Victor Vasarely and his wife Claire established the Fondation Vasarely in 1966, and it was recognised as a public utility in 1971. Construction of the building began in 1973, with architects John Sonnier and Dominique Ronsseray applying Vasarely's designs, and it was inaugurated on 14 February 1976. It has been classified as a Monument historique since 2013.
Victor Vasarely and his wife Claire founded the institution to make art accessible to all, independent of dealers and politics. The foundation presents 42 monumental integrations, including works by Vasarely and his son Yvaral, a proponent of kinetic art. Temporary exhibitions feature contemporary artists exploring viewer interaction.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm, and is closed on Mondays. It sits on the south-western edge of Aix-en-Provence in the Jas-de-Bouffan district. Guided tours, including themed and story-telling visits, are offered alongside self-guided viewing of the permanent works and temporary exhibitions.
The exterior cladding of anodized aluminum creates visual effects that mirror the optical illusions found within the artworks displayed inside. This design makes the building itself an extension of the artistic concept rather than just a container for it.
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