Mayor Christian Estrosi held a press conference at city hall to present the various redevelopments planned for some of the many cultural venues in the city.
He wants “to allow everyone to access the full cultural offering one would expect from the fifth largest city in France.” Christian Estrosi criticized the lack of “logical organization” of Nice’s cultural venues, while taking a swipe at his predecessors for “this unfortunate legacy.”
In the presence of Jean Ferrero, “the most experienced person in Nice in the field of art,” Christian Estrosi expressed the desire to “reposition cultural activities in their rightful place,” in a coherent manner.
Thus, a game of musical chairs will begin this summer, with the first step being the relocation of the Urbanism and Architecture Forum to the Sang-Neuf site (the former slaughterhouses), “an area undergoing significant development and transformation,” according to the mayor of Nice. The forum currently features an exhibition on the planned work on Castle Hill, but as of July 30, the relocation can begin.
The second step involves Jean Ferrero’s collection taking the place of the Urbanism Forum, at the foot of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC). Christian Estrosi states he reached an “agreement very quickly” with Jean Ferrero on this move, which will allow MAMAC to “offer a homogeneous selection” with nearly 1,300 works plus the School of Nice collection donated by Jean Ferrero.
The mayor of Nice also took the opportunity to announce numerous modifications planned for MAMAC, particularly to address the entrance issue and a “disgusting staircase.” For this, the museum’s main entrance will be restored at the base of the Northeast tower, thus rearranging the reception area and shop. Escalators will be put back into service, the area will be secured (including the exteriors), and especially Yves Klein Square will see enhanced lighting and a thorough cleaning of the windows. Christian Estrosi jokingly reproached the architects: “Architects have qualities but also great flaws.”
As for the Sacha Sosno garden located behind MAMAC, it will host numerous sculptures and will be “fully integrated with the museum.” The goal of this harmonization and coherence is directly aimed at “renewing MAMAC, which must reposition itself, nearly 30 years after its inauguration, at the highest level of excellence and influence.”
The third step (and the sequel and conclusion to the musical chairs) is as follows: the Theater of Photography and Image will be installed in place of the Ferrero Collection, on Pierre Gautier Square. “It is by far the most suitable space for this museum,” rejoices Christian Estrosi, “Thanks to its layout, architecture, location close to cours Saleya, and its facade that allows for very large displays.”
Finally, for the last step, “which will take place at the start of the school year,” the premises of the Theater of Photography will be redeveloped to house Francis Huster’s “Petit Palais,” under the direction of Steve Suissa. The venue will offer “a theater presenting performances as well as a theater school capable of training actors and offering introductory courses.”
The aim of this project, according to the mayor of Nice, is to “add real value to the existing cultural offering in Nice.” He also sought to defend the project of relocating the Theater of Photography by declaring that it is “a more enhancing, more suitable, and more frequented place. Today, we must have the courage to reform.”
This decision does not meet the wish of the artists who have united to keep photography in its current location, even if the proposed site is undoubtedly more appropriate than the initially chosen one (Forum of Architecture). Will it be enough to quench the discontent of this “community” who organized an online petition with over 5,300 signatures?
Apparently, no!
At least as far as Patrick Allemand is concerned, initiator and sponsor of this petition: “Christian Estrosi has remained completely deaf to the appeal of 100 cultural figures.”
Christian Estrosi will inevitably learn at his expense that culture and art are free and have always turned against those who wanted them to toe the line.
No cultural figure in Nice has supported the creation of a theater school to replace the TPI. Everyone knows that the venue is not suitable and will require extensive work. Work that will be added to those necessary to transform the current FERRERO gallery into a place just as well-suited to photography as the current TPI is. This last whim of the prince will be costly for the taxpayers of Nice and the cultural budget.
The new theater school directed by Francis Huster should have been installed directly at 109. The arrival of such a prestigious name could have finally launched this venue, which was supposed to be the grand cultural infrastructure of the Estrosi era and which is still lacking resources and vision.
