Once upon a time, 15 internationally renowned artists did not want to associate the tramway with just simple public transportation. Supported by the Nice Côte d’Azur Urban Community, they decided to transform its route into a real aesthetic journey. A true cultural radiance, the result lives up to the project. Our 15 artistic elves thus invaded the urban space along line 1. It offers 8.7 km of enchantment and poetry to the residents of Nice.
From Ange Leccia’s solar disc to Jacques Vielle’s towering opalescent palm trees. When night falls, Nice plays Cinderella. It dresses in its most beautiful gown to dance with the stars in an imaginary universe. A world where Niçoise culture is present. The local elf, Ben, delivers a thought at each stop. An intention that pushes us to question, to reflect. The power of words prevails, and the author himself explains: “There is a language, a culture, and it exists in everyday life.” Our escapade continues along Avenue Jean Medecin. Here, for a moment, the stars have given way to an entirely different sky, that of: “The Hint of Blue.” Yann Kersalé wanted to express the feeling of “infinity.” The color blue symbolizes this “infinity in time, in space,” and the horizontal vault formed by this color contrasts with the density of traffic on the ground. The sky transforms instantly, bringing calm and relaxation.
Another equally fascinating work is at Place Masséna. Directly from the imagination of Jaume Plensa, it opens eyes to the world around us. “Conversation in Nice” is the name of this artistic axis. In a blend of sculptures and lights, it makes this place “a metaphor for the relationship between the different communities that are part of today’s society.” The rest of our excursion is no less impressive; on the contrary, it brings beauty and enchantment. Square Toja has been transformed by Maurizio Nannucci. The result is seven neon texts in different colors adorning vertical steel masts. Spiritual openness is key here. A message of solidarity. The writings are inscribed in the main languages of the European Union.
This myth would not stand the test of time if all this knowledge were not accompanied by melody. No worries. The elf Michel Redolfi recorded over 400 sounds. The tram jingles vary depending on the season, whether it’s summer, winter, or the end-of-year holidays. The vocal color also changes according to the time of day; bright and optimistic during the day and mellow at night.
This magical journey aims to transport us to the heart of an artistic and fascinating world. For once, art blends with the urban: the result is magnificent, and our eyes crave more.
