Fondation d'entreprise Martell - SelgasCano from June 2017 in Cognac

Published by: Olivia de Smedt | 6-May-2017
END OF JUNE 2017: INAUGURATION OF THE PAVILLON MARTELL DE SELGASCANO. The second in situ commission by the Fondation d'entreprise Martell in Cognac and the first work by the Spanish architects in France.
Launched in October 2016, the Fondation d"entreprise Martell offers a rich and varied programme of events promoting local, national and international collaborations. Occupying a modernist building that is a landmark within the town of Cognac, the Foundation will ultimately extend over nearly 5,000 m² and five floors, offering an array of different immersive, creative spaces, which will open to the public in several phases. The interior renovation, orchestrated by Bordeaux architects Brochet-Lajus-Pueyo, began in spring 2017, with a partial reopening (ground floor and rooftop terrace) scheduled for summer 2018, followed by a gradual roll-out of the other floors every year until the completion of the project in 2020/2021.

In June 2017, the Fondation d"entreprise Martell will inaugurate an in situ commission, an original protean structure created by Spanish architects SelgasCano, which will occupy the entirety of the vast paved courtyard in front of the Fondation until autumn 2018.

The first project in France by the duo of José Selgas and Lucìa Cano, this exterior pavilion is comprised of modules constructed from hi-tech materials, which will house specific activities prefiguring the Foundation"s future schedule of events. From summer 2017, visitors will be able to enjoy creation and performance-based experiences with invited designers including Atelier W110 and 71bis, and artistic partners such as the Abbaye aux Dames.

True to their aesthetic of transparency and openness to the outside world, SelgasCano constructed the pavilion from a metal framework covered by a translucent material developed by French brand Onduline. Strong and watertight, the material is permeated by a soft, changing light which creates intriguing iridescent effects.

The Pavillon Martell de SelgasCano is the second commission of the Fondation d"entreprise Martell. The first, Par nature, an immersive 600 m² work by French artist Vincent Lamouroux, was presented on the building"s ground floor from October 2016 until January 2017 to mark the launch of the Foundation. Anticipating a rich cultural programme around four key themes (transmission, exploration, senses and materials), both commissions are practicable, environmentally responsible in situ installations which transport visitors into unexplored imaginary realms. In 2018, the pavilion will be dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere in order to give it a second life.

The Fondation d"entreprise Martell

Launched in October 2016 and directed by Nathalie Viot since 1st January 2017, the Fondation d"entreprise Martell offers a rich and varied programme of events promoting local, national and international collaborations. Envisioned as a cultural and creative ecosystem, the Foundation aims to reflect the diversity of contemporary creation and reveal outstanding talent and savoir-faire.

Curious, open and transversal, it will offer new experiences in terms of artistic production, research and mediation in complementary spheres (art, design, architecture, craft, fragrance, digital, dance, literature, music etc.) through exhibitions, workshops, a living lab, events and in-residence programmes.

As a centre for innovation and creation deeply rooted in the local area, the Fondation d"entreprise Martell aims to be a motor for long-term growth and development, raising the profile of the town of Cognac, the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime, and the entire Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

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