Fondation Vasarely
MonumentHidden Treasure
Fondation Vasarely, located in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), is a modern edifice built in the 19th-20th centuries. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Modern (19th-20th century)
- Location
- Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 43.5212, 5.4247
- Mérimée Reference
- PA13000046
An architectural masterpiece designed by Vasarely himself, this foundation in Aix, with its hexagonal cells, embodies the perfect marriage between optical art and inhabited space - a building manifesto that is unique in Europe.
History
Perched high above Aix-en-Provence, the Vasarely Foundation is much more than a museum: it is a total work of art, designed from inside to out by Victor Vasarely himself. This unusual building, inaugurated in 1976, challenges the eye as soon as it is approached: sixteen hexagonal cells fit together in a rigorous composition, with a blind façade alternating white and black panels in a repetitive folding that seems to vibrate in the Provencal light. What makes this place absolutely unique is the philosophical ambition behind each architectural choice. Vasarely didn't simply want to exhibit his canvases; he wanted to demonstrate that optical art could blend into the living space, transform the everyday environment and engage in a dialogue with architecture on a city-wide scale. His famous "integrations" - monumental compositions displayed on walls and floors - are not to be looked at, but lived in. It's a striking experience. Guided by soft zenithal light falling from the glass roofs, visitors move from cell to cell, passing from large kinetic compositions to educational spaces where Vasarely's theory takes shape. Optical movement, chromatic vibrations, illusions of depth: everything conspires to pleasantly destabilise perception. You come away from the Foundation with your eyes transformed, able to see structures where before you could only see chance. The setting is also remarkable: the building stands on the Jas de Bouffan site, to the west of Aix-en-Provence, in an environment where the southern light exalts the contrasts so dear to Vasarely. A large sculpture in the shape of a V - a giant initial and territorial signature - marks the site from the road, inviting passers-by to enter this universe in its own right.
Architecture
The Vasarely Foundation is a radical work of architecture, conceived as a three-dimensional manifesto of op art aesthetics. The floor plan is organised around sixteen hexagonal cells placed side by side, forming two rows of eight cells that create a massive, rigorously geometric horizontal volume. This cellular logic, reminiscent of the structure of a beehive or a crystal, allows fluid circulation between the spaces while guaranteeing each cell visual and functional autonomy. The framework is made of reinforced concrete, a structural material that is invisible beneath a careful cladding of aluminium panels and glazing. The facade is blind - no windows open onto the outside - and appears as a surface of repetitive folds, alternating panels with a white background and panels with a black background in a binary rhythm characteristic of Vasarely's vocabulary. This three-dimensional checkerboard effect, sculpted by the play of Mediterranean light and shadow, transforms the façade itself into a kinetic work of art. A large V-shaped steel sculpture, the artist's initial, signals the building from the public space. Inside, natural lighting is provided exclusively by zenithal skylights at the top of each cell, diffusing soft, even light over the monumental compositions. This overhead light, which avoids any lateral reflections, is ideal for viewing the optical works. The 'integrations' - large-scale tapestries and wall paintings - cover the interior surfaces, making each cell a total plastic environment.
Related Figures
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) — artiste plasticien hongrois, fondateur et concepteur du projet architecturalJean Sonnier — architecte chargé de la construction du bâtiment en collaboration avec VasarelyDominique Ronsseray — associé de Jean Sonnier, co-architecte de la fondationMichel Vasarely dit Yvaral (1934-2002) — fils de Victor Vasarely, artiste et collaborateur de la fondationLes élus de la Communauté du Pays d'Aix — initiateurs de la reprise en gestion et de la restauration à partir de 2012
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fondation Vasarely located?
Fondation Vasarely is located in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France.
When was Fondation Vasarely built?
Fondation Vasarely dates back to a period built in the modern era (19th-20th century).
Is Fondation Vasarely open to visitors?
Fondation Vasarely is currently closed to visitors.