Render of the project, which will open next May
The Seine rises in France and dies in France. None of its 776 kilometers runs outside the country on its course from the Langres Plateau to its mouth in the English Channel.
On its way through Paris, the Seine divides the city in two and the walk along its banks offers one of the most beautiful historical and artistic routes in the world.
The Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tulleries, the Louvre … without forgetting the Ile de la Cité, where we find the majestic Notre Dame.
The motto of the city appears on the coat of arms of the French capital “Fluctuat ne mergitur” , which it takes from the river, and which comes to mean "beaten by the waves but not sunk" or "that floats without sinking".
And that is precisely what the latest artistic project that we can find not on the shore, but floating on the Seine, does. It is called Fluctuart and it is the first floating art center in the world.
Fluctuart, a floating art center in the heart of Paris
A MUSEUM UNDER THE INVALIDES BRIDGE
“A place for art, life and celebration”, This is how Fluctuart defines itself, a transparent center of a thousand square meters dedicated to art and open to the public all year round.
Its three levels accommodate all trends in urban art, from pioneers such as Future 2000 to famous contemporary artists such as Shepard Fairey and Invader , focusing above all on emerging and innovative talent.
Located just below the Invalides Bridge, the space will open its doors next may and in it we can find a permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, a specialized bookstore and a terrace.
In addition, they will organize cultural events, creative workshops, meetings and dialogues.
The walk along the banks of the Seine offers one of the most beautiful historical and artistic routes in the world
THE STORY OF FLUCTUART
Fluctuart is part of the proposals submitted to contribute to the project 'Reinventing the Seine'. This initiative is challenging architects, entrepreneurs and artists to invent new ways of living, working and moving on the banks of the river.
Fluctuart has its origin in three founders: Géraud Boursin, Nicolas Laugero Lasserre and Eric Philippon. The architectural and design project, for its part, bears the signature of the fluvial architecture studio Seine Design, led by Gérard Ronzatti.
For Gérard Ronzatti, architect and head of Seine Design, “This reinvention goes through a new relationship with art, more intuitive, more immersive. The Seine, as a space open to all, is an incredible opportunity to rethink this link”, says Gérard.
At the height of Les Invalides we find an unconventional art center
THREE LEVELS TO CONNECT WITH THE RIVER
The museum-ship is made up of the superimposition of three different spaces that in one way or another have a certain connection with the river and that are joined by a vertical patio: the cellar, the main floor and the upper floor.
The cellar has large openings at both ends and has views of the river and the other bridges that can be seen from there. Inside we can find an exhibition and several offices.
The main space It has thirteen windows on each side and tells the story of the nearby shores, as if it were a mirror. Have an industrial and modular design accentuated by its stainless steel ceilings and panels.
On the main floor will also settle the permanent exhibition , which will include a crossroads of various techniques and visions of urban art through iconic works of this movement donated by private collectors.
Finally, the upper space reminds us of what the river can offer us: an open place, where to contemplate the sky, that we can find every day when walking along the banks of the Seine.
One thousand square meters divided into three levels
A TURN OF THE SCREW TO URBAN ART
“Shake conventions, take risks, get reactions, send messages, be visible, those are the ambitions of this new space”, he affirms Philippine Fuchs, art historian, about Fluctuart.
The place chosen to locate this art center is not accidental, since it is a meeting and entertainment place.
And his way of showing himself is not casual either: completely transparent, as an invitation to everyone (in fact, admission is free) . “The higher the visibility of the art, the better,” says Philippine.
“The art has to be inherent in the urban landscape, allowing visitors a complete immersion. The transparency of the volumes gives the art enough space to radiate, inside and outside”, he concludes.
art on the river bank
THE ARTISTS: BANKSY, VHILS AND ROA WILL FLOAT ON THE SEINE
Every year, Fluctuart will host three large temporary exhibitions: monographic, collective and itinerant.
In the first place, with the monographic exhibition he wants highlight the talent of an artist through an individual and thematic exhibition, so that visitors understand the process of research and artistic creation.
Through the group exhibitions the different facets of urban art connected by a common theme or trend will be presented to the public.
Finally, Fluctuart will also present traveling exhibitions to give the maximum possible visibility to urban artists.
For the permanent exhibition they still do not have the list of artists completely closed "but they are included in it Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader, JR, Futura 2000, Vhils, Roa and Rammellzee ”, they finish.
“The first guests to the permanent exhibition will be Swoon”, They count from Fluctuart to Traveler.es
There will also be a bookstore focused on urban culture
THE BOOKSTORE
In the central space of the ship will be located the bookstore, whose theme will be urban culture. In it we will find national and international publications along with documents on current exhibitions.
The famous Parisian bookstore Grand Jeu, specializing in urban cultures, will be in charge of supplying the Fluctuart bookstore.
**THE PLACE TO BE (O LE LIEU OÙ IL FAUT ÊTRE) **
In a culture broth like the one that is intended to be cooked in Fluctuart, it could not be missing a space to enjoy a drink on the banks of the Seine.
The bar becomes a perfect place to host afterworks, parties and all kinds of events. Also, every sunday there will be a brunch and different activities for children (workshops, collage, games, etc.).
The roof terrace, which has its own bar, offers a panoramic view of the Seine between the Pont des Invalides and the Pont du Alma, the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais.
In it we can attend concerts, projections, conferences and various performances, besides being also a place for private parties.
next may We have a date on the banks of the Seine!
floating art