The LAAC (Lieu d’Art et Action Contemporaine) in Dunkirk, France welcomes you from the 24th of June.
A stones throw away from the North Sea, in a beautiful sculpture garden, is a striking white glazed building, LAAC (Lieu dArt et Action Contemporaine) in Dunkirk (France). Thanks to a renovation, the LAAC will be reopened on the 24th of June 2005. After the closure of the centre for a number of years the collection will once again be accessible for the public. The renovated building will show the exceptionally varied art collection in a renewed setting.
In March 2003 the architect Richard Klein was employed for the renovations and redecorations. Klein introduced cultural and social symbols typical to the seventies, a period of great importance in the collection. The interior design strongly brings the Pop-Art years to mind.
The collection
The collection came into being through French artcollector Gilbert Delaines. In the first years of the 1970s, Delaine came across the work of Joan Mitchell and Sam Francis. These artists inspired his passion for contemporary art. In 1974 Delaine founded LArt contemporain. This association aimed to develop a patronage of companies and to obtain works of art. In twelve years time he collected 900 pieces, more than half of which graphic art.
The collection gives an interesting view of the artistic development in France and the rest of the world from 1950 to 1980. A few noticeable pieces are Car crash by Andy Warhol, Self-portrait by Eugène Leroy, Composition by Pierre Soulages, Wounded animal by Karel Appel, Personnage brun-rouge by Olivier Debré and Tempérance by Niki de Saint Phalle.
An overview
The lyrical, symbolic and informal abstraction is illustrated by a characteristic collection of more than a hundred pieces, including numerous paintings and plates by Alfred Manessier, Georges Mathieu, Hans Hartung, Serge Poliakoff, as well as by American artists based in Paris such as Sam Francis and Joan Mitchell.
The LAAC owns one of the largest collections of art by the Cobra-movement in France. The main bulk of this collection is built up of 75 pieces by the internationally well known Dutch artist Karel Appel, including sculptures and a collection of wood engravings.
The LAAC houses a rare collection of art by two renowned New Realists, César and Arman. Remarkable works by Télémaque, Rancillac, Monory, Klasen and Bertini illustrate the narrative figurative art. The exceptional art of Pierre Alechinsky also deserves mention.
The geometrical abstraction and Op Art are mainly represented by graphic pieces by Sonia Delaunay, Auguste Herbin, and Victor Vasarely.
Last but not least the collection spans numerous works by artists from the North of France, such as Edouard Pignon, Jean Roulland, Arthur Van Hecke, Eugène Dodeigne and Eugène Leroy.
Visits and guided tours
Guided tours and visits are available in French, English and Dutch.
German texts are available. Guided tours on appointment
For group reservations call: 33 (0) 3 28 59 21 65.
Visiting address:
LAAC, Pont Lucien Lefol 59140 Dunkerque, France
T 33 (0) 3 28 29 56 00, F 33 (0) 3 28 29 56 01
E-mail : art.contemporain@ville-dunkerque.fr
Opening hours:
From 15 September to 14 May:
Tuesday Friday from 14.00 to 17.30,
Open until 20.30 on Thursday.
Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.30.
From 15 May to 14 September:
Tuesday Friday from 14.00 to 18.30,
Open until 20.30 on Thursday.
Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.30.
Information about Dunkirk:
Contact information for the press in The Netherlands, Belgium, Great Brittain and Germany:
Claire Beke – Communicatie in Cultuur, Laura Wijninga or Mo van der Salm, Postbus 1377. 3000 BJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands,
T 31 (0) 10 4250344, F 31 (0) 10 4770274
E-mail: beke@communicatieincultuur.com
Contact information for the press in France:
Alambret Communication, Anne-Sophie Giraud, 109 bd Beaumarchais,
75003 Paris T: 33 (0) 1 48 87 70 77 F: 33 (0) 1 48 87 70 57
E-mail: Alambret.com@wanadoo.fr
