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TOP 10 OPEN-AIR ART FOUNDATIONS

26 August 2019 - Destinations

Art is at the heart of Vilebrequin's DNA. After multiple collaborations with artists such as Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Alex Israel, it’s the turn of our emblem, the turtle, to dive in the deep end and enjoy art in every shape and form. Our 2019 Plein Été collection is a true ode to creation! To celebrate this eagerly anticipated season, follow our TOP 10 guide for an arty round-the-world trip, from Japan to Brazil and South Africa to New Zealand. Get ready for a fascinating dialogue between art and nature.

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1. Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima Islands in Japan

Also known as the Art Islands or Museum Islands. Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima are three little islands located in Seto Inland Sea, more than 600 km south of Tokyo. Lovers of contemporary art, architecture and poetry come here as pilgrims. They don't visit, they don't wander, they immerse themselves, in deep communion with this utopia. The dialogue between the humility of daily and ancestral life, between the creativity of contemporary art and the vestiges of a historical past, between the power of marine landscapes and that of architecture is infinite, possible, real. This place isn't about borders, quite the contrary: borders are abolished here. Imagined by a family of collectors, this somewhat crazy place brings together on these three islands several contemporary art installations created in situ, several museums and an impressive collection of works of art.

Our favourite piece:

Les Archives du Cœur (The Heart Archive) by Christian Boltanski. Since 2008, this French artist has been collecting heartbeats from around the world. His collection, to which you can add your own heartbeat, is broadcast in a little black wooden hut by the beach. A poignant piece.

2. Alan Gibbs Farm in New Zealand

Down under, in The Land of the Long White Cloud so dear to French author Charles Juliet, is a private art park, the Alan Gibbs Farm. The owner, an extremely wealthy kiwi businessman (for those who don't know, kiwi is an affectionate name for New Zealanders, referring not to the fruit but to the little bird of the same name) conceived a place worthy of his status. He commissioned some of the greatest contemporary artists to create pieces that would blend in with the breathtaking natural beauty of this estate. Located north of Auckland, on the banks of Kaipara Natural Harbour, in one of the most beautiful regions in New Zealand, the park is home to works of art by many artists. All in all, 22 sculptures are spread across nearly 10 acres. Free visits by (very) advance reservation.

Our favourite piece:

Dismembered 1 by Anish Kapoor (2009). With this giant sculpture, the British artist of Indian origin transcends the very idea of landscape, thus giving rise to a whole new dimension.Further info about this piece on Anish Kapoor’s website: http://anishkapoor.com/326/dismemberment-site-i-2

3. Yorkshire Sculpture Park in England

In 1977, in wuthering West Yorkshire, Peter Murray founded the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, an independent charitable foundation. At the heart of the region's mixed landscapes, this park is home to more than 80 sculptures spread across nearly 500 acres of forest, lakes, large meadows and verdant hills. An invitation to wander and contemplate. To be chic yet comfortable when walking through the English countryside, we recommend our Vilebrequin men’s cargo shorts. The artists Henri Moore and Barbara Hepworth, both local to the area, are in the spotlight with several pieces shown in this huge 18th-century landscaped garden. But the crème de la crème of international artists, Andy Goldsworthy, David Nash, James Turrell, Dennis Oppenheim, Antony Gormley and Giuseppe Penone also have their place. Constantly evolving, the YSP aims to be inclusive, educational and fun, a place for all that is free and where picnics and playing children are welcome. A vibrant place full of life where even those most resistant to contemporary art no longer want to sneak out.

Our favourite piece:

Our favourite piece: Idee di Pietra – Olmo by Giuseppe Penone (2008) poetically reminds us of the essential links between art and nature, and how we must look after both.
Website: https://ysp.org.uk

4. Ekebergparken in Norway

In 2013, Oslo, the overall champion when it comes to open-air art, unveiled its third museum dedicated to sculpture: Ekebergparken. More than 80 pieces by renowned contemporary artists including Marina Abramović, Fernando Botero, Dan Graham, Jenny Holzer, Damien Hirst, Paul McCarthy and Louise Bourgeois are exhibited alongside more “classic” artists such as Rodin, Dalí, Maillol and Renoir. But the particularity of this open-air museum that is such a hit with visitors is its location and 24/7 opening times. Located on a wooded hill far from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ekebergparken has extraordinary vistas. In the distance, the natural beauty of Oslofjord contrasts with the formal beauty of the city and its spectacular architecture. The perfect preamble to the discovery of an exceptional collection.

Our favourite piece:
The Scream by Marina Abramović (2013). A simple metal frame in front of which, as the name suggests, visitors are invited to scream. Perhaps a tribute to Edvard Munch’s The Scream... Definitely a cathartic piece.
Website: https://ekebergparken.com

5. Château La Coste in France

Cock-a-doodle-doo! In France, we are a lucky enough to have the rather extraordinary Château La Coste Its magical location at the heart of a Provençal vineyard surrounded by garrigue, olive trees and truffle oaks explains its success. The art centre’s radiant architecture, its collection of exceptional works, but also its restaurant focusing on delicious local produce, its wine cellars designed by Jean Nouvel and its sumptuous hotel, Villa La Coste, are just some of the things we love about this place. 15 km from Aix-en-Provence, Château La Coste has an almost unrivalled artistic and cultural offering. And there’s nothing like pulling on a Vilebrequin men’s polo shirt to saunter along the trail through the vines and discover the works of artists carefully selected. The works of many blossom in this vineyard that has been active for more than 2200 years. But this is about more than wine or art or tourism. This is about a global and ambitious project, perhaps even a life philosophy, as crazy as the château's owner, Irishman Paddy McKillen, who is as discreet as he is perfectionist.

Our favourite piece:
Crouching Spider by Louise Bourgeois (2003) is rather deceptive. By suspending this single giant spider like a totem above a mirror of water, the artist sweeps away the usual fear caused by the rather unpopular arachnid, reminding us of its greatness and the essential part it plays in the animal kingdom.
Website: https://chateau-la-coste.com

6. Glenstone Museum in the United States

One of the largest private institutions in the world is located in the States, in the small town of Potomac, just a few kilometres out of Washington D.C. Opened in 2006 by two collectors, the Glenstone Museum reveals a collection dedicated to modern and contemporary art in the heart of Maryland’s woods. Here, “you leave the world behind”, explains the architect who worked on the Pavilions. “With every step, the everyday distractions drop away.” Designed to blend in perfectly with its natural environment, the museum was also conceived to offer a new way of interacting with art, inspired by the Slow Art movement. Escaping from the world, taking one's time and entering a state of contemplation are at the heart of this experience. During your visit, you will come across works by Félix González-Torres, Jeff Koons and Richard Serra outside, as well as architecturally inspiring pavilions that house temporary exhibitions and the impressive permanent collection.

Our favourite piece:
Untitled by Félix González-Torres (1992–1995). A minimalist and conceptual vocabulary for a poetically simple piece.
Website: https://www.glenstone.org

7. Inhotim in Brazil

A megalomaniac to some, a humanist to others, Brazilian iron-ore magnate Bernardo Paz would not have been able to create the gem that is Inhotim (pronounced iniotim) without a touch of folly. Let's take a look at how it came about. Located an hour's drive from Belo Horizonte (pronounced Bello Horizontch) in Minas Gerais (pronounced Minas Jeraich), Inhotim wasn’t created in 7 days. A visionary demiurge, Bernardo Paz bought a plot of land in the 1980s. His ambition was to create a spectacular botanical garden with the help of brilliant Brazilian landscaper Roberto Burle Marx. The lush setting for the world’s largest art collection (from 2006) was created. Move freely in your quest for art, wearing one of our women's cotton voile tunics. Sometimes hidden in the grounds, sometimes beautifully installed in stunning, bespoke pavilions, the works in this park would make any contemporary art aficionado green with envy. But enough talking, the best is still to visit and uncover the hidden art.

Our favourite piece:
Impossible to choose just one but Beam Drop by Chris Burden (2008) is fascinating. Visually very impressive with its 71 steel beams springing out of the ground, the story of this 1984 piece’s conception is as crazy as this place. From a crane 45 metres above the ground, the artist threw the beams, one by one, into the wet cement!
Website: https://inhotim.org.br

8. Lachine Open Air Museum in Canada

Located along the Saint Lawrence River, a few kilometres from downtown Montreal, Lachine Open Air Museum is a rather secret address, little known to visitors. The reason is simple. This museum showcases the works of contemporary artists from Canada and Quebec, whom Europeans don't know particularly well. The museum was created more than 30 years ago and is home to around 50 works of art which can be discovered from dawn to dusk. The work is of high quality and makes you want to find out more about the artists. Depending on the season, the works can stir very different feelings. In winter, in the snow, the poetry of this museum remains unrivalled.

Our favourite piece:
Espace cubique ou hommage à Malevich (Cubic Space or Tribute to Malevich) by André Fournelle. A tribute that uses the square, the geometric shape considered the purest by the artistic movement created by Malevich, and glass. At night, the sculpture is lit up and shines like a beacon.

9. The NIROX Foundation in South Africa

More than a history of art lesson, you can expect a history lesson at the NIROX Art Foundation. Indeed, it's here, an hour out of Johannesburg, that humanity was born, on this very land under your feet. This UNESCO World Heritage site has outstanding universal value with more than three billion years of history. The feeling is dizzying. Located on this wild 116,000-acre land in the heart of Khatlhampi Private Reserve, the NIROX Foundation, a non-profit organisation, occupies nearly 40 acres. It includes a sculpture park, an artist residence, an open-air concert venue, and the foundation organises multiple events to promote the arts. Slip on your lightweight cotton voile Vilebrequin shirt and head for the sculpture park to contemplate the works of British artist Richard Long, South African artists Willem Boshoff, Thomas Mulcaire and Frances Goodman, Italian artist Valerio Berruti and Indian artist Priyanka Choudhary, exhibited at the heart of this extraordinary land known as the cradle of human kind.

Our favourite piece:
Wailing Wall by Willem Boshoff (2017). Unlike the various walls currently being erected around the world, Willem Boshoff's Wailing Wall, with its “Jerusalem” inscription, is not a dividing wall, but a space for relaxation and contemplation.
Website: https://www.niroxarts.com

10. The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale in Japan

And we are back in the Land of the Rising Sun, not to talk about a new, secret art foundation this time, but to tell you about the biggest open-air contemporary art festival. A major event in the art world, the Echigo-Tsumari Triennale is open to all for two months during the summer. The previous edition having taken place in 2018, we now have to wait until 2021 for the next one. Created by Fram Kitagawa, chairperson of Tokyo's Art Front Gallery, the festival is based on a completely unique model. One of the creator's objectives is to highlight an abandoned rural area and to rally local communities. The latter take part not only in the organisation but in the creation of in-situ works of art, in close collaboration with the artists, thus creating a new tight-knit community. Artists flood abandoned buildings, closed schools and hamlets and, during the last edition, they presented more than 380 works of art across an area of 760 km2. A unique and magical event that's really worth the trip.