Bordeaux's CAPC director ousted; cultural vision questioned

In March 2018, María Inés Rodríguez, who had been the director of the CAPC since 2013, was unexpectedly dismissed by the Bordeaux municipality. An open letter from notable figures such as Christian Boltanski, Marie-Laure Bernadac, Hans-Ulrich Obrist, and Nicolas Bourriaud praised her programming, which included artists like Alejandro Jodorowsky, Laure Prouvost, and Beatriz González. Cultural councillor Fabien Robert defended the decision, citing the need for adaptation to the city's evolving identity and proposing that CAPC become a "showcase." He announced plans for a committee led by Alain Juppé to explore the definition of a museum, although it had not yet been established. Meanwhile, Robert's video on Bordeaux-ma ville advocates for funding "innovative, new and unique projects" to enhance cultural equity across neighborhoods. In contrast, a 1984 interview with former mayor Jacques Chaban-Delmas highlighted the CAPC's international aspirations and the goal of educating individuals about contemporary art. Catherine Millet's editorial critiques the transition from a humanistic approach to a more populist discourse, coinciding with Bordeaux's upcoming Musée de la Mer et de la Marine opening.