The art style of Van Gogh has always influenced later creators, but we often see two-dimensional paintings in secondary creations. Have you ever thought that someone would incorporate his style into three-dimensional architecture? The South France Contemporary Art Center, Luma Arles, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, took 10 years to complete. The building features irregular flowing lines, presenting the unrestrained and magnificent visual sense of “Starry Night.” This unique post-impressionist style building has successfully injected a new trendy vitality into this quaint town in southern France!
Luma Arles is located in the town of Arles in southern France. The base of this contemporary art experimental center is modeled after the columns of the Roman amphitheater, with irregular floors on top, and a tower about 56 meters high, resembling a dancing building from afar. The outer perimeter of the building is made up of 11,000 reflective panels, reflecting the colors of the sky day and night. The architectural design is inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s iconic work “Starry Night,” a masterpiece created during his time in a mental asylum. Design maestro Frank Gehry infused the artist’s unconventional and fearless spirit into this artistic building, showcasing his exceptional design talent at the age of 92 with his bold and innovative style!
Arles itself has ancient Roman ruins that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and these ruins are still used by locals today. Vincent van Gogh lived in this small town for 15 months, during which he created about 300 works of art, making the beautiful scenery and historical sites here famous. Two spaces next to the tall tower, resembling factory buildings, are designed by the renowned American architect Annabelle Selldorf’s team. Every summer, the world-class contemporary photography exhibition “Rencontres d’Arles” is held nearby, making Arles full of artistic atmosphere.
The construction of the building project is funded by the contemporary art non-profit organization Luma Foundation, Luma Arles covers 170,400 square feet, facilities include exhibition halls, seminar rooms, studios, auditoriums, libraries, cafes, as well as archives and research spaces established by the Luma Foundation, the exhibition hall showcases a series of commissioned works by many contemporary artists. Visitors can also climb to the observation deck on the top of the building to enjoy the panoramic views of Parc des Ateliers nearby.
In addition to the tower designed by Gehry, the area also includes a landscape garden built by Belgian Bas Smets. The park used to be an industrial site of the French SNCF national railway company, abandoned for over 20 years. After being renovated by Selldorf Architects, the place now exudes a more magnificent and tranquil atmosphere!
Luma Arles not only houses works by world-renowned artists but also hosts a series of workshops, forums, and provides studios and research spaces for artist residencies, poised to become a hub for contemporary art in southern France. This artistic place already carries the aura of being the “Van Gogh Town,” and with the completion of the new art experimental center, it is believed that it will attract even more people to this beautiful town that combines contemporary art and traditional culture!
Image Source: Luma Arles
