"The longer we wait, the more difficult it will become to remedy the damage. Since 2019, state funding had all but dried up, forcing the foundation to auction works to raise funds to continue the restoration of both the iconic building and its many site-specific works."
"Nothing had been maintained. There was no heating, no air-conditioning. The roof leaked. Years of neglect have left their mark on the Aix building, which was listed as a historic monument in 2013, revealing a decrepit sculpture in the garden shrouded in protective netting and monumental interior works in urgent need of attention."
Fondation Vasarely, established by Op Art pioneer Victor Vasarely in 1971, operates from a striking hilltop building in Aix-en-Provence designed with concentric circles and squares. The foundation's 50th anniversary coincides with urgent restoration needs for both the structure and its artworks. State funding has significantly declined since 2019, prompting the foundation to auction works for restoration funds. The institution experienced decades of complications following Victor's illness in the 1980s, including local political conflicts, inheritance disputes, and legal wrangles over the collection. Leadership improvements began in 2009 under Pierre Vasarely's direction. The building received historic monument status in 2013, but years of deferred maintenance have caused extensive damage requiring immediate attention.
#fondation-vasarely #op-art-preservation #architectural-restoration #cultural-heritage-funding #museum-management
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