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LUMA Arles, a 27-acre creative campus, will open its doors on June 26, 2021, in the historic city of Arles. This innovative project brings together artists and innovators from various fields, providing them with a platform to experiment and collaborate. At the heart of the campus stands a striking 15,000 square meters tower designed by the legendary architect, Frank Gehry. The twisting geometric structure, finished with 11,000 stainless steel panels, will house exhibition galleries, project spaces, and LUMA’s research and archive facilities, alongside workshop and seminar rooms. The campus is also home to four renovated exhibition and performance spaces in seven former railway factories, designed by Selldorf Architects.

Maja Hoffmann, the founder and president of the LUMA Foundation, established the organization in 2004 as a leading international philanthropic organization. The foundation focuses on the direct relationships between art, culture, environmental issues, human rights, education, and research. It is dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to experiment in the production of new work, in close collaboration with other artists from a variety of disciplines, curators, and diverse audiences. The development of this creative campus in Arles has been led by Hoffmann working with a small dedicated team and the collective input from a core group of advisors, including Tom Eccles, Liam Gillick, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Philippe Parreno, and Beatrix Ruf.

Over the past 10 years, LUMA has already commissioned and presented the work of more than 100 artists and innovators at sites in Arles, including the ancient Roman amphitheatre and the LUMA Arles campus. The campus is surrounded by beautifully designed gardens and a public park, which are the creations of landscape architect Bas Smets. The ongoing exhibitions and living archive program, The Library is on Fire, Offprint, Atelier LUMA, and LUMA Days, as well as the residencies and the first steps to define the LUMA Winterschool, have been a continuation of Hoffmann’s vision, which is more relevant than ever in these times of planetary transition.

Frank Gehry’s vision for the LUMA Arles tower was to evoke the locals, from Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” to the soaring rock clusters in the region. The central drum of the building echoes the plan of the Roman amphitheatre, creating a beautiful balance between form and function. The tower will serve as a functional space and a landmark of modern architecture that will attract visitors from around the world.

Arles, located in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site incorporating its Roman and Romanesque legacy. Arles is situated between two nature reserves, the Camargue wetlands, and the mountain range of Les Alpilles. The city’s ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Alyscamps, and the antique theatre are some of the must-visit sites in Arles.

In conclusion, LUMA Arles is set to become a vibrant centre of creativity, collaboration, and innovation that will attract artists and visitors worldwide. The campus’s unique design and mission to provide artists with a platform to experiment and collaborate make it an exciting addition to the international art scene.

Cover image: © Adrian-Deweerdt