In Albi, a sound and light show follows in the footsteps of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec in the Paris of the Belle Époque
At nightfall, the green gardens of the Palais de la Berbie in Albi are transformed into festive Paris of the Belle Époque. One of the towers of the old building which overlooks the flowerbeds becomes the famous Moulin Rouge and the Infernal gallop of Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach makes the atmosphere vibrate.
A total dive into the nights of the City of Light at the end of the 19th century, painted by the Tarn painter Toulouse-Lautrec. “The work once animated gives something poetic and that is what transports“, adds a spectator. “The work of Toulouse-Lautrec, it’s something that has always touched me and I really wanted to see this show, I find it wonderful well done”adds a second.
For half an hour, 300 works follow one another and retrace the life of the artist. Visitors distinguish the famous posters made for the Moulin Rouge, sulfurous watercolors showing the daily life of brothels, pastel portraits. Photographs of the painter even appeared in the canvases to surprise visitors. Each painting is accompanied by a play of lights and several sculptures light up to the rhythm of the musical atmospheres.
If this transformation is possible, it is thanks to a skilful system of projectors and diodes arranged in all the gardens and on the facades of the Palace. A challenge not to degrade the building built in the 13th century. “It is a classified site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architect of the buildings of France had to be concerted. Especially to install the Moulin Rouge propeller”explains Marie-Pierre Boucabeille, deputy mayor of Albi in charge of culture.
This luminous promenade is part of the vast program celebrating the centenary of the Toulouse-Lautrec donation to the Albi museum. The artist’s parents have donated many works to the cultural establishment, which holds the largest public collection in the world of the painter. To pass the milestone of 100 years in beauty, the museum is offering an unprecedented exhibition on the sources of inspiration of the Albigensian artist entitled When Toulouse-Lautrec looks at Degas, to discover until September 4th.
Other festivities have already been announced: a ballet at the Capitole de Toulouse inspired by the life of the painter is planned for September, a French-language film festival on the theme of cabaret in November and several cycles of conferences spread out until 2023. complete agenda is available on the centenary website.
“In the footsteps of Toulouse-Lautrec”luminous walk until September 4, Jardin du Palais de la Berbie, Albi, 5 euros, free under 18s.