A two-part exhibition
‘Surfing the wave’
The ground floor features works dedicated to surfing. The exhibition has been labelled Cultural Olympiad – Paris 2024. Of course, we know that in this year of the Olympic Games, Tahiti will be hosting the wave riders’ events. But the sport of surfing is well established in Marseille. And let’s face it. Surfing is a photogenic discipline, always spectacular. Nazaré in Portugal, Teahupo’o in Tahiti and Belharra on the Basque coast are just a few of the spots that are awe-inspiring for surfers and spectators alike.
This exhibition showcases a wide range of works (photographs, paintings, sculptures) and demonstrates the extent to which the practice of surfing, the associated lifestyle and the state of mind that the sport exudes, are a source of inspiration in the different worlds of artistic creation.
I was particularly struck by a series of portraits by the German painter Anke Doberauer, who lives between Marseille and Munich. They are dedicated to surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm at the age of 13 following a shark attack in Hawaii. In all the works, we admire the surfer, always smiling. A model of strength, resilience and adaptation.
Musée Regards de Provence – From 27 Apr. 2024 > 22 Sept. 2024
Expo Surfer La Vaguemallaret Nicolas History Damour
Expo Ete 2024 Musee Regards De Provence Mrs Coeur Maritimehkotlcm 16
Expo Ete 2024 Musee Regards De Provence Mrs Coeur Maritimehkotlcm 32‘Marseille’s maritime heart’
The first floor of the Musée Regards de Provence houses 90 works on loan from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In the past, they were on display via the Musée de la Marine Marchande, which was located in the Palais de la Bourse. But the latter closed its doors in 2018, and since then, the 50,000 works of art and artefacts accumulated since the creation of the CCI have been lying in storage. Today we have the chance to discover a small selection of them.
Another peculiarity worth mentioning is that, although we find paintings by renowned painters such as Raphaël Ponson, Louis-Mathieu Verdilhan, Joseph Suchet and Auguste Chabaud, we sometimes admire paintings by lesser-known artists whose contributions to this exhibition are entirely legitimate. Their paintings document in infinite detail the glorious years of port and commercial activity in the port of Marseille. Visitors will be able to explore the quays of the ports thanks to the exceptional documentary value of the works and the rare, never-before-seen views of Marseille.
Marseille au cœur maritime is much more than a fine exhibition on the history of the port of Marseille. It’s a testament to the art of painting. And like all the events organised by the Musée Regards de Provence, it’s well worth a visit.
Musée Regards de Provence: 5 May 2024 > 02 Oct 2024
