Last year, the Depardieu Gallery was banned from the now customary Nice galleries’ night. In a defiant response to this exclusion, the Depardieu Gallery and artist Fred Forrest are organizing the first “Nuit des Artistes” this year on the same day.
Thus, the people of Nice will have a choice, in one evening, of a plethora of art that will fulfill the savviest who have the good idea to attend these two events.
A Needless War of Art
Nice is often the scene of multiple confrontations in many sectors, but the local art scene had settled comfortably among the museums, galleries, artists, and associations that make up the city’s and region’s art scene.
The Nice City Hall, and more specifically the communication department at the time, had sidelined the Depardieu Gallery which was exhibiting the now famous “Chemin de croix” by Fred Forrest which, incidentally, was far from being that subversive.
And so, another duel begins and, once again, it’s a pity that these energies could not find a basis for artistic, if not friendly, agreement in order to make this night something other than a difficult choice for art lovers.
Nice Première went to meet with Christian Depardieu of the gallery of the same name to learn more about this first “Nuit des Artistes”…in his gallery!
For twenty years, Christian Depardieu has been in contact with the art scene both in France and internationally. In response to a broad movement of standardization and networking of cultures, some artists assert their differences without always being able to have them recognized. It is to offer these strong, national and international individualities a meeting space in a cosmopolitan city like Nice – where both famous and not famous artists have so often chosen to live and work – that the Depardieu Gallery hosts 5 to 6 exhibitions a year. This gallery strives to display a very eclectic selection of artists working in various currents: painting, sculpture, photography, video, digital art, installations…
Nice Première: Mr. Depardieu, can you tell us about the “Nuit des artistes”?
Christian Depardieu: Fred Forest, back from Brazil where he was exceptionally celebrated by the highest authorities of that country, proposed organizing an event in duplex from Toronto where he is currently located.
See also: Retrospective Sao Paulo, Paco das Artes, from May 22 to July 16, 2006 with a creative and participative press experience with the daily La Folha de Sao Paulo and [https://www.webnetmuseum.org](https://www.webnetmuseum.org)
Nice Première: Why did you organize your event on the same evening as the “Nuit des galeries”?
CD: It’s a coincidence with the event planned long in advance by Fred Forest in Canada.
It works out since the organizers of the Nuit des Galeries excluded me from their event…
Nice Première: What do you think of this “Nuit des galeries”?
CD: It’s a good initiative that is inspired by what has been done for a long time in Paris, Munich, or elsewhere.
For example, on June 7, 2006, Nocturne Rive Droite organizes an event with over sixty galleries…
Too bad that the one in Nice is organized by sectarian and biased people.
In September 2005, by censoring my gallery and the exhibition of Fred Forest, they showed their contempt for artists and their profound ignorance of artistic matters. Indeed, the history of art is full of “censors” who in return, got their comeuppance as was the case for the organizers of the Nuit des Galeries last September.
That ridiculous censorship provoked a violent reaction from regional, national, and even international print and audiovisual media.
I thank everyone who supported us at that time.
Nice Première: How was the “Nuit des artistes” born?
CD: This title allows us to focus attention on the artists I am currently presenting at the Gallery:
Colleen Hunter (sound installation), James Forward (works on the Internet) coupled with a punctual event animated by Fred Forest from Canada.
Nice Première: What do you think of art in Nice and its nearby region?
CD: There’s a lot happening right now in the art scene on the Côte d’Azur:
In Monaco, cultural projects abound; at the Maeght Foundation; at the Villa Arson; at the Chagall and Fernand Léger museums; at Mouans-Sartoux etc.
Their new leaders know each other, have already worked together, and are keen on continuing…
In Nice itself, several contemporary art galleries have recently opened, adding to those already well-established in the landscape.
With the presence of numerous artists, it’s clear that the contemporary art scene is seriously regaining its vitality. Let’s hope that the contemporary art market, somewhat dormant in recent years, notably after the orchestrated disappearance in 2001 by the Nice City Hall of the contemporary art fair Art Jonction after sixteen years of existence, regains some vigor.
Moreover, the Nice City Hall seems notably absent from this revival, stuck in its missteps, like a ball and chain that might weigh down the overall enthusiasm, as it is, after all, the capital of the Côte d’Azur.
Let’s hope the horizon will soon clear up on that front…!
