Estuaire 2009

Details of what looks like a fascinating festival and programme of events came through to me today:

'This summer the second performance of one of the world’s most astonishing free contemporary art concepts will take place from 5th June to 16th August 2009 in the Pays de la Loire in France.

From Nantes to Saint-Nazaire, the Loire river widens into a vast estuary, 40 miles long and two miles wide at its mouth; a fascinating territory shaped by wild, mysterious and untamed lengths of river and the remarkable heritage of an industrial port.

Each of Loire Estuaire editions, 2007, 2009 & 2011, gives international artists the opportunity to work within this unusual backdrop. Around thirty art installations, created by artists who have the experience and ability to create significant works of public art, will be built on site. Some are temporary; others will be permanent, drawing together a trail which will be open throughout the year. Estuaire is a political project, aimed specifically at spurring the foundation of the Nantes to Saint-Nazaire metropolis.

Both cities’ art and cultural venues take part in this creative emulation: Le Lieu Unique, the Fine Arts Museum of Nantes, (Musée des Beaux-Arts); FRAC (Regional Contemporary Act Collection of the Pays de la Loire), the historic castle of the Dukes of Brittany and Le Grand Café – art centre based in Saint-Nazaire. Furthermore, the 2009 edition will see Estuaire collaborate with Fontevraud Abbey, The Orion Castle and the Le Mans School of Fine Arts.

Loire Estuaire is a festive and fun event for everyone. In 2007 more than 760,000 visitors enjoyed the show. All works can be accessed* by land (on foot, bike or nearby parking). Whilst bus tours will provide an opportunity to take a closer look at the installations and the specially created river cruise is a journey of discovery of the river and its landscapes.'

Artists**

Ant Farm (USA), Rivane Neuenschwander & Cao Guimaraes (Br)
Atelier Van Lieshout (NL), Anthony McCall (UK)
Winfried Bauman (Ger), Vincent Mauger (Fr)
Tania Mourand (Fr), Claire Blanchemanche, Cal-Earth Institute (Fr, Ir, USA)
François Morellet (Fr), Céleste Bousier-Mougenot (Fr)
Damien Chivialle (Fr), Ernesto Neto (Br)
Gilles Clément (Fr), Tatzu Nishi (Jap/Ger)
François Delagnes (Fr), Olgga Architects (Fr)
Gino de Dominicis (It), Paola Pivi (It)
Anne de Sterk (Fr), Stéphane Thider (Fr)
Jimmie Durham (USA/It), Roman Signrer (Ch)
Alicia Framis (Sp), Antonin Sorel (Can)
Dré Wapenaar (Nl), Les fréres Chapuisat (Ch)
Janet Cardiff (B), Eric Watt (Fr)

In addition, permanent pieces which first appeared in 2007 by Daniel Burrren and Patrick Bouchain, Jeppe Hein, Ange Leccia, Erwin Wurm, Tadashi Kawamata, Kinya Maruyama and Flice Varini remain on display.

*Except for the Museum of Fine Art of Nantes/ discount ticket
** Subject to modifications

Further details here.