Art at the University
The Sète-based collective Microclimax, comprising visual artist and designer Carolyn Wittendal and architect and artist Benjamin Jacquemet, presents Chimæra, a multi-site exhibition marking the end of their residency.
Opening reception on Thursday, April 2, at 12:30 p.m. at the University Sciences Library on the Triolet Campus of the University of Montpellier.
Exhibition runs through June 19 (University Sciences Library – Triolet Campus – University Library of Law, Political Science, Economics, and Management – Jardin des Plantes – Faculty of Law – Faculty of Dentistry).
Centered on the theme of fusion, the Microclimax artist residency represents a true exploratory marathon that began in November 2014 with an initial immersion phase. Throughout the various stages of the residency, the artist duo drew inspiration from visits to and discoveries of various iconic locations on campus.
The fruitful and inspiring encounters and exchanges with students, instructors, and Professors sparked the creative process behind more than ten works. The Chimæra exhibition offers us a unique encounter between art and knowledge that extends throughout the entire University of Montpellier.
University of Montpellier: A Haven for Artists
The University of Montpellier runs an artist-in-residence program designed to immerse an artist or artistic team in the university and scientific environment, from which they draw inspiration to create one or more works.
Since 2010, the former University of Montpellier 2 has organized five artist-in-residence programs, primarily with visual artists. The University of Montpellier’s artist residencies have received support from the DRAC (Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs) since 2013/2014.
Artist residencies in the university setting serve a dual purpose: the creation of original works by artists, and raising awareness of artistic expression within the university community.
The university thus positions itself as a host institution that supports the artist in the conception and production of one or more works: it provides the artist with the necessary technical and financial resources, and facilitates contact between the artist and various university representatives who may be involved, to varying degrees, in the production phase of the works (departments, programs, Professors, etc.).
In this spirit of collaboration, the invited artists commit to an active presence within the host institution and offer outreach activities for the university community.
Two outreach events are thus planned with the artists of the Microclimax collective: Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10, as part of the 2015 Arts and Culture in Higher Education Days (April 8–10).
Two meetings with the artists will take place on Thursday, April 30, at 1:00 PM at the Sciences University Library on the Triolet campus and at 2:30 PM at the Law, Political Science, Economics, and Management University Library on the Richter site.
The exhibition can also be visited by appointment.
Contact: Art & Culture Department 04.67.14.48.34 or 06.37.32.63.79
The Art & Culture Department is a key asset of the merger: originating from the Culture Division of the former University of Montpellier 2, it infuses the new University of Montpellier with artistic and cultural vitality and draws its richness from the diversity of campuses, student populations, and disciplines. This department spearheads the university’s artistic and cultural policy, which it implements and seeks to develop and reinvent day by day.