INDOC. Documentation centre about Art and Nature

CAIRN – Centre d'Art Informel de Recherche sur la Nature

In 2000, the Geological Reserve of Haute-Provence in association with the Musée Gassendi set up the Centre d'Art Informel et de Recherche sur la Nature (CAIRN) in the commune of Digne-Les-Bains (France). CAIRN invites creators to stay at the centre in order to provide them with an opportunity to discover the landscape of this natural space and the encyclopaedia collections held by the Musée Gassendi. Artists are then able to interpret the spirit of these places and convey their insight through their work.

Initiatives include temporary exhibitions at the CAIRN Gallery, permanent and temporary works in the landscape of the geological reserve, publications, nature routes, etc. The Geological Reserve of Haute-Provence (which occupies 200,000 ha) has become a laboratory where acclaimed artists such as Herman de Vries and Andy Goldsworthy have created works that enhance the landscape of this beautiful natural space.

CAIRN’s goal is to highlight the value of Digne as a rural space and from an ecological, social and historical perspective, while also creating a contemporary patrimony integrated in the heart of the region.

Thanks to its programme of residential stays for artists, exhibitions and publications, CAIRN is playing a significant role in raising awareness of and promoting contemporary art in a wide range of different contexts.

The uniqueness of CAIRN is based on a number of factors:

• The vastness of the area in which interventions by artists are created – 200,000 ha –which makes the space a model both within Europe and internationally.

• The creation of a collection of contemporary art located close to CAIRN based on the acquisition by the Musée Gassendi of a number of works and installations. Over 30 permanent works have also been created throughout the Geological Reserve of Haute-Provence.

• The territory where CAIRN carries out its activity. While many other experiences involve artificial spaces, in this case the site is one that is inhabited and used for scientific purposes, in other words a public space.

• The goal of facilitating the coming-together of contemporary creators and the local public by setting in motion a sustainable project in Europe, a territory where people can genuinely experience contemporary art.

Visitors should be sure not to miss the Musée Gassendi, located in the centre of Digne-Les-Bains. Among many other spaces, the Musée Gassendi includes an exhibition room devoted to landscape painting, with many works by 19th-century painters. The museum also has a space devoted to botany, where works of contemporary art and items from the scientific collection are exhibited. In Digne’s art spaces visitors will find works by Bernard Ploussu, Joan Fontcuberta, and many other contemporary artists.

Location and access

CAIRN, Centre d'Art Informel de Recherche sur la Nature
Musée-Promenade Saint Benoît
04000-Digne-Les-Bains (FRANCE)

Digne-Les-Bains is 140 km from Marseille.

More information

Tel.: +33 04 92 31 45 29
Fax: +33 04 92 32 38 64
E-mail: cairn@musee-gassendi.org

·         CAIRN web site (Musée Gassendi)

Source: texts – CDAN, based on material provided by CAIRN; photographs courtesy of CAIRN. The upper photograph shows the work by Herman de Vries and the lower photograph that created by Joan Fontcuberta.

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