Centre international d'art et du paysage de Vassivière — Attraction in Limoges

‘Nous ne disposons pas un objet dans le paysage. Nous fabriquons du paysage. Et là, il n'y a jamais de fin’.

Words briviste Jean-Guy Soumy puts in the mouth of one of his characters in his book L'œuvre vive (2006). In his words of thanks he refers to the Centre national d’art et du paysage de Vassivière-en-Limousine as an important source of inspiration. The center is located on a hill that became an island in 1952 when the construction of a hydroelectric dam created a new lake.

By the 1980’s the island became a pace where sculpture and nature met, in 1983 the first exhibition ‘L’ile aux pierres’ was organized, by 1987 the institution was projected and by 1991 an exhibition space by Aldo Rossi and Xavier Fabre was added.

Scattered over the island you find a wide array of works, Jeann Clareboudt’s 'Passages Fer' (1991) near the exhibition space caught our eye as well as a giant German helmet that formed Marco Boggio Sella’s 'Untitled' (2003), Jean Estaque’s 'Sans titre' (1987). To appreciate Yona Friedman’s 'La Licorne de Vassivière' (2009) you have to climb the tower, which is a really impressive piece of architecture with it conical shape and staircase. Worth mentioning on the waters-edge were Andy Goldsworthy’s 'Sans titre' (1992) consisting of two circular walls, one in the forest on land the other mostly submerged in the lake, Jean-Pierre Uhlen’s 'Steinland' (1990) and Marc Linder’s 'Sans titre' (1983).

The work that most impressed us was however a cast iron sculpture by Australian artist David Jones, 'Green place with red ants' (1988). At first looked like a long tree that fell, then became a 22 meters long snake-like object supported by 11 granite blocks.

By 2021 some 60 sculptures and a temporary exhibition 'LA VIE A ELLE-MÊME' can be explored. Visit to the island is open and free, the exhibition closes for lunch and has a 5€ entrance fee. We suggest skipping the exhibition, though the building is...

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but I have to admit I felt quite let down by this supposed International Art Centre. It could all have been so wonderful and the possibility it holds as a place for all all kinds of cultural and artistic events, workshops, exhibits and so on are really endless. The Château had had its windows replaced with modern monstrosities that were so completely out of keeping it was heartbreaking to see. It was all very run down and requires someone with vision and some great investors to rejuvenate it to something which could be truly incredible. The best points for me were the incredible Brioche and the delicious artisanal mint choc...

Quel endroit unique et magnifique !!! (Commentaire correspondant à la saison haute) Arrivés près d'un lac immense et vraiment joli, que l'on contourne par les hauteurs avec une vue imprenable, un vaste parking accessible à tous (y compris les campings car qui y sont les bienvenus), nous sommes accueillis par une petite buvette proposant notamment cidre et crêpes. De là, il faut traverser sur un très grand pont pour arriver à l'île : le trajet semble long mais à vrai dire on ne voit pas le temps passer tellement le paysage est enchanteur. Sur l'île, de sculptures et installations artistiques nous guident vers le musée. Sur le chemin, un véritable four à pain à l'ancienne où l'on peut acheter de quoi manger, une terrasse où prendre un café, quelques espaces intrigants encore à visiter et on arrive au cœur de ce centre international d'art. Un grand bâtiment en longueur au bout duquel une tour rappelant un phare, dans lequel on peut monter. Je n'ai pas vu l'exposition mais ai dévoré tout les livres de la librairie, des sélections notamment dd catalogues d'exposition véritables œuvres imprimées à s'offrir et quelques originalités tel un ouvrage sur la construction de cabanes en bois. Un hors série du magazine "Beaux Arts" explique la genèse et l'histoire des vingt premières années du lieu. Je pourrais encore en écrire beaucoup sur le sujet mais au final rien ne remplace une...