Frac Directors Discuss Evolution, Architecture, and Outreach
In a 2018 conversation with artpress, Keren Detton from Frac Grand Large–Hauts-de-France, Claire Jacquet of Frac Aquitaine, and Pascal Neveux representing Frac Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur reflect on the transformation of French Regional Contemporary Art Funds (Frac) 35 years after their establishment. They underscore the Fracs' roles in dissemination and mediation, highlighting the importance of decentralizing from Paris and supporting artists such as Maitetxu Etcheverria and Pierre-Lin Renié. Detton notes collaborations with educational institutions, while Neveux discusses the challenge of preserving an experimental essence amidst new architectural projects by Kengo Kuma and Lacaton & Vassal. The MÉCA, created by Bjarke Ingels, will accommodate Frac Aquitaine. In 2016, Frac Aquitaine lent 55% of its collection to 140,000 individuals, with one-third of collections circulating each year. The directors promote a public cultural policy in opposition to consumerism.
Key facts
- Interview published in artpress2 n°47, February/March/April 2018.
- Keren Detton directs Frac Grand Large–Hauts-de-France in Dunkerque.
- Claire Jacquet directs Frac Aquitaine, moving to MÉCA building by Bjarke Ingels.
- Pascal Neveux directs Frac Paca in Marseille, building by Kengo Kuma (2013).
- Frac Grand Large building by Lacaton & Vassal, reusing a former shipbuilding hall.
- Frac Aquitaine collection is 50% photography, from August Sander to Laurent Montaron.
- Frac Paca has 1200 works, acquisition budget of €230,000 from state and region.
- Platform, the Frac federation, organized exhibitions in Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul in 2016-17.
- Frac Grand Large has a significant design collection.
- Frac Paca hosted 45,000 visitors in 2013 (Marseille-Provence European Capital of Culture).
- Frac Aquitaine lent 55% of its collection in 2016, reaching 140,000 people.
- Frac Paca had 108,000 visitors in 2016, with 83,000 in the region and 25,000 students.
- Frac Grand Large works with 20 schools annually.
- Marseille Expos network includes 42 structures, chaired by Neveux.
- Fracs have over 25,000 works and represent over 5,000 artists.
Entities
Artists
- Maitetxu Etcheverria
- Pierre-Lin Renié
- Roman Opalka
- Shana Moulton
- Aurélien Froment
- Suzanne Husky
- Sory Sanlé
- Nino Laisné
- Marcel Duchamp
- Catherine Rannou
- Lieven de Boeck
- Pascal Pinaud
- August Sander
- Laurent Montaron
- Sophie Calle
- Laurence Gateau
- Bernard de Montferrand
Institutions
- Frac Grand Large–Hauts-de-France
- Frac Aquitaine
- Frac Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Frac Picardie
- Frac-artothèque Limousin
- Frac Poitou-Charentes
- Frac Bretagne
- CNAP
- Fondation Maramotti
- Fondation Zinsou
- Casa de Velasquez
- Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux
- Maison de l'architecture et de la ville de Lille
- Musée Dondht Dhaenens
- Fondation Maeght
- Espace de l'art concret
- Platform
- Institut français
- Marseille Expos
- Réseau Fusée
- Réseau Cartel
- Réseau Cinq/25
- 50°Nord
- MÉCA
- artpress
Locations
- Dunkerque
- France
- Hauts-de-France
- Aquitaine
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Marseille
- Paris
- Amiens
- Limousin
- Poitou-Charentes
- Bordeaux
- Lille
- Deurle
- Belgium
- Madrid
- Spain
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Italy
- Benin
- Germany
- England
- Joliette
- Euroméditerranée
- Côte d'Opale
- Alpes de Haute-Provence
- Nice
- Aix/Marseille
- Bayonne
- Vassivière
Sources
- artpress —