Bordeaux and the Largest Digital Art Center in the World
Visit the Bassins de Lumières
Bordeaux, one of the most beautiful cities in France, is also one of the premier wine regions of the world. The capital of Nouvelle Aquitaine, Bordeaux boasts the largest digital Art Center in the world. Established by Culturespaces, the Bassins des Lumières, located in Bordeaux’s former submarine base, holds monumental immersive exhibitions (created by the artistic director Gianfranco Iannuzzi) devoted to major artists in the history of art and contemporary artists. The venue opened on 10 June 2020 and is the largest digital art center in the world, representing three times the surface area of the Carrières des Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence and five times the size of the Atelier des Lumières in Paris.
The History of the Bassins des Lumières
Bordeaux, which was occupied by German troops at the end of June 1940, was a strategic base for the German occupying forces. Due to its location near the Atlantic Ocean, its port facilities, and its distance from the British enemy, the Germans considered it an attractive location for its operations. 60,000 cubic meters of concrete was used for its construction with 15 large U-Boats in residence. During its 22-month life, 43 U-boasts were assigned to it to carry out attack missions in the Atlantic Ocean, near the American coast, and resupply sites in the Indian Ocean.
The Bordelais transformed this place of problematic and infamous history with its vast water infrastructure into a major immersive art exhibit space. When I visited the museum this summer, the eerie atmosphere served to enhance my immersion into the art. The projection surfaces are huge. Light and sound quality was amazing given the presence of water that is 16 meters deep. The cultural gift shop with its collection of city maps, a range of jewelry, tableware, and fashion accessories is worth a visit, too.From the exhibit, Venice - La Serenissima, Courtesy of the Bassins de Lumières.
Current Exhibit: Venice-La Serenissima
Fortunately for me the current exhibit is “Venice-La Serenissima.” This exhibit takes you on a journey of the artistic and architectural treasures of “The Most Serene,” that is, the City of Venice, one of my favorite places to visit. Sites include the Grand Canal, the churches, and both holy and secular interiors and exteriors of Venice.
A pioneering creator of immersive artistic installations for thirty years, Gianfranco Iannuzzi works with Culturespaces on developing digital exhibitions around the world and contributes to the dissemination of culture and works by major artists via this new form of expression and exhibition
When in Bordeaux to explore the vast wine regions, take time to see the La Cité du Vin Museum, visit the shopping and historic districts of Bordeaux, and see the Bassins de Lumières. See also “Live from Bordeaux, France – June 2022.”
Bordeaux Wine Recommendations
2017 Chateau Haut-Bailly, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, France, $125
Grand Cru Classé
Robert Parker, 96 Points.
(a red blend)
2018 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent, Bordeaux, France, $20
Wine Spectator, 93 Points
(a white blend)
2019 Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé, Bordeaux, France, $17
Wilfred Wong, 89 Points
(a sparkling rosé)
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