Works in public spaces, created by major artists from the national and international scene

This urban art exhibition, curated by the Biennale's general commission, unfolds along the Promenade des Anglais and the Promenade du Paillon. Six artists and duos contribute works that poetically and dreamily explore ocean-related imagery.

The exhibition creates a cohesive urban journey centered on the ocean, beginning on the Promenade des Anglais where Shilpa Gupta and Joël Andrianomearisoa poetically address the horizon. Further along, Nicolas Floch uses neon lights on the Tour Bellanda to trace the path of the Gulf Stream. Emmanuel Régent highlights the port's dike with a blue line that illuminates when large cetaceans, detected by sonar, pass offshore. At Rauba Capeu, Choï + Shine present a massive sea urchin crafted from fishing net lace, while Laure Prouvost's bronze octopus emerges amidst the Jacques Médecin lawn.

The exhibition successfully weaves together diverse artistic interpretations of the ocean into a captivating urban experience, using the city's landscape as a canvas for exploring themes of the horizon, marine life, and the poetic relationship between humanity and the sea. Each artist's contribution adds a unique layer to the overall narrative, creating a rich and multifaceted exploration of the ocean's influence on human imagination and experience. The careful placement of each artwork along the promenades enhances the overall experience, transforming the urban environment into an immersive and engaging art installation creating a memorable and thought-provoking experience for visitors. The ocean, as a central theme, serves as a powerful unifying element, connecting the diverse artistic expressions into a cohesive and impactful whole.

CHOI+SHINE Architects - Urchins (Oursins), 2024
Laure Prouvost - Landed Here to Sea You, With All Our Very Breasts, 2023
Until Sept. 28, 2025 - More information anneedelamer.nice.fr.

Matisse Méditerranée(s)
Henri Matisse's profound connection to the Mediterranean Sea.
"I’m a northerner, […] so it’s the Mediterranean that made the biggest impression on me." Henri Matisse to Pierre Courthion
From his first visit to Corsica in 1898 to his extended stays in Nice between 1917 and 1954, and numerous journeys throughout Algeria, Spain, Italy, and Morocco, the Mediterranean exerted a continuous fascination on the artist. Matisse himself acknowledged the pivotal role of the Mediterranean's dazzling light in shaping his artistic language and his connection to both established pictorial traditions and the Orient and ancient cultures.

Matisse had a personal perception of the landscape, emphasizing his conceptual relationship with the sea. He viewed the Mediterranean not merely as a geographical entity, but as a space of lived experience, sensation, dreams, and fantasies. Echoing Paul Valéry's description of the Mediterranean as a "machine for making civilization," the text portrays it as the setting for Matisse's intense chromatic and plastic explorations, a source of new motifs and inspiration.

Beyond the commonplace, the Mediterranean, as described by Fernand Braudel, is presented as an ancient crossroads where diverse elements – people, animals, goods, ships, ideas, religions, and lifestyles – converged. Matisse, the text argues, was both a witness and a participant in this vibrant confluence.

The exhibition's aim is to reinterpret Matisse's work through the lens of the Mediterranean and its associated iconic locations. Through a diverse selection of artworks, including several rarely exhibited in France, the exhibition traces the connections, rituals, and idioms linked to this civilization and Matisse's unique relationship with it. The Mediterranean, therefore, served not just as a source of inspiration for Matisse's art, but as a fundamental element shaping his artistic vision and identity. His engagement with the region's light, culture, and history is presented as integral to understanding his artistic development and legacy. The text underscores the profound influence of this geographical and cultural space on one of the 20th century's most significant artists. The exhibition promises to offer a fresh perspective on Matisse's oeuvre, highlighting the Mediterranean's crucial role in shaping his artistic journey and enduring legacy.

Henri Matisse, Intérieur à la boîte à violon, Nice, hiver 1918–1919 - Lillie P. Bliss collection, 1934 © The Museum of Modern Art, New York/Scala, Florence
Henri Matisse, La Vague, Nice, ca. 1952, 1963, Musée Matisse Nice © Succession H. Matisse | Photo © François Fernandez
Until Sept. 8, 2025 - More information matisse-nice.org.

La zone de minuit - Ugo Schiavi
Ugo Schiavi's "La Zone de Minuit" is an immersive art installation exploring the mysteries and fragility of the deep ocean. Inspired by the paradox of humanity's ability to explore space while remaining largely ignorant of the Earth's deepest trenches, the installation uses a combination of sculpture and digital film to create a fantastical, yet cautionary, vision of the abyss. Schiavi, an internationally recognized artist based in Marseille, draws upon ancestral mythologies, contemporary science fiction, and the emerging field of bioacoustics to construct a world where the organic and synthetic intertwine.

The core of the installation consists of a series of translucent, luminous sculptures crafted primarily from glass. These enigmatic forms, suspended from repurposed metal structures, evoke the appearance of alien, abyssal creatures. Their translucence reveals an intricate network of cables and technological components, symbolizing the interconnectedness of nature and technology. Bioluminescence, the light of the deep sea, serves as a central motif, with the sculptures themselves emitting light, illuminating the otherwise dark environment. This light acts as a form of communication, mirroring the bioluminescent displays of deep-sea creatures.

Complementing the sculptures is a digital film featuring 3D-modeled creatures that transition from the physical sculptures back into the digital realm. This creates a paradoxical reality where nature and technology coexist in a symbiotic relationship. The soundscape, developed in collaboration with a bio-acoustician, plays a crucial role, immersing the viewer in the sounds of the deep ocean – distant echoes and deep rumbles that evoke the feeling of an underwater exploration.

"La Zone de Minuit" is more than just an aesthetic experience; it's a commentary on humanity's relationship with the ocean and the planet as a whole. The installation highlights the vulnerability of these unexplored ecosystems, threatened by human exploitation and climate change. By blending myth, science fiction, and underwater archaeology, Schiavi creates a poetic and contemplative atmosphere, prompting reflection on the passage of time, the origins of the world, and the potential for its end. The installation serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and our responsibility towards the preservation of the planet's fragile ecosystems. The artist's background, including participation in prestigious art events like the Voyage à Nantes, Biennale de Lyon, Noor Riyadh Festival, Bienalsur, and Manifesta 15, underscores the significance and global reach of this thought-provoking work. The installation's title, "Midnight Zone," itself evokes the mysterious and largely unexplored depths of the ocean, a realm of both wonder and peril.

Ugo Schiavi - La zone de minuit
Ugo-Schiavi - La zone de minuit
Until August 24, 2025 - More information le109.nice.fr.

Becoming Ocean
Becoming Ocean is an exhibition exploring our knowledge and unknowns about the ocean and its future. Through diverse art forms, it aims to spark a global dialogue about the ocean's challenges and the urgent need to rethink our relationship with it. For decades, art has played a crucial role in raising awareness about climate change's impact on nature. Artists have translated complex planetary phenomena and systemic changes into narratives, personal accounts, and indigenous perspectives, making these abstract challenges more accessible and understandable.

This exhibition highlights the collaborative efforts of artists, experts, policymakers, and scientists, forging a common ground for genuine engagement with nature. Artists from diverse backgrounds have created works that address the damage caused by colonial and capitalist greed, paving the way for a new narrative—one characterized by wiser choices and a deeper connection with the ocean's mythical dimensions. The exhibition humbly explores these significant approaches to ocean conservation and understanding.

The works showcased at Villa Arson in the Becoming Ocean exhibition are drawn from the TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary collection and the Tara Ocean Foundation's artist-in-residence program, with the collaboration of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The exhibition's curatorial approach emphasizes the power of art to communicate complex scientific concepts and inspire action. By presenting diverse artistic interpretations of the ocean's fragility and the urgent need for its protection, the exhibition aims to foster a sense of shared responsibility and inspire audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue and action.

The artists involved represent a wide range of styles and techniques, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the ocean itself. Some works may focus on the beauty and wonder of the marine environment, while others may highlight the devastating effects of pollution and climate change. The exhibition's curators have carefully selected works that offer a balanced and nuanced perspective on the ocean's current state and its potential future. The inclusion of works from the Tara Ocean Foundation's artist-in-residence program underscores the importance of scientific research and collaboration in addressing the challenges facing the ocean.

Becoming Ocean is not merely an exhibition; it is a call to action. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the ocean and to consider the ways in which they can contribute to its protection. By bringing together art, science, and activism, the exhibition creates a powerful platform for dialogue and engagement, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the future of the ocean and the planet. The exhibition's success lies in its ability to translate complex scientific data into emotionally resonant artistic expressions, making the urgent need for ocean conservation accessible and relatable to a broad audience. The collaborative nature of the project, involving multiple institutions and artists, further emphasizes the importance of collective action in addressing this global challenge.

Ingo Niermann - SeaLovers, 2020
Simone Fattal - Pearls [Perles], 2023
Anne Duk Hee Jordan - Ziggy and the starfish, 2016-2022
Until August 24, 2025 - More information villa-arson.fr.

Ocean's Mysteries – Laurent Ballesta
Laurent Ballesta: Unveiling the Ocean's Mysteries Through Photography Laurent Ballesta, a world-renowned underwater photographer, biologist, and naturalist, has dedicated his life to capturing the breathtaking beauty and hidden wonders of the ocean's depths. His work transcends mere documentation; it's a fusion of scientific exploration and artistic expression, revealing the ocean's mysteries with a unique blend of naturalism and aesthetic brilliance. His stunning photographs, showcased in exhibitions like "Mers et Mystères," transport viewers to extraordinary underwater realms.

The exhibition, composed of 53 photographs, takes us on a journey through three distinct environments. First, we plunge beneath the ice of the Adélie Sea in Antarctica, witnessing a vibrant underwater world teeming with life. Ballesta's images reveal lush, deep-sea gardens that rival the coral reefs of warmer waters, showcasing a fragile biodiversity that thrives in this seemingly harsh environment. His 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in the Earth Environment category for his Antarctic work underscores the significance of this discovery. For nearly two months, he and his team pushed the boundaries of underwater exploration, capturing images and stories from these previously unimaginable depths.

Next, we are transported to the South Pass of Fakarava, a pristine atoll in French Polynesia. Here, Ballesta documents an unprecedented gathering: 700 sharks, the highest concentration of grey reef sharks ever recorded. His images capture the raw energy and chaotic beauty of this underwater spectacle, where thousands of groupers join the sharks in a perilous yet mesmerizing reproductive ballet. This breathtaking display of life and death, captured after four years of painstaking work, highlights the awe-inspiring power and fragility of nature.

Finally, Ballesta takes us to the Mediterranean Sea, revealing a hidden world of vibrant ecosystems and unique creatures. Using a bathyal vessel, he explores depths of 100-140 meters, reaching a parallel world just beneath the surface. His photographs unveil lush underwater gardens, teeming with life, that are surprisingly similar to tropical coral reefs. However, these ecosystems are under severe threat from pollution and warming waters, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. Ballesta's work serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and vulnerability of the Mediterranean's underwater world.

Ballesta's career spans four decades, marked by numerous accolades, including two Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. His work has been featured in prestigious publications such as Terre Sauvage, Science & Vie, and National Geographic. He's also the author of thirteen books on marine photography and the initiator of eight Gombessa expeditions, documented in film. His commitment to conservation is evident in his twelve years as a scientific advisor for Ushuaïa Nature and his pioneering work, including capturing the first-ever photograph of a coelacanth in its natural habitat. Through his stunning imagery and unwavering dedication, Laurent Ballesta continues to inspire awe and action, urging us to protect the ocean's precious ecosystems for generations to come. His work is a testament to the power of photography to reveal the hidden wonders of our planet and inspire a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Plafond de glace, Îlot de la Dent, Terre Adélie, -5 m © Laurent Ballesta
La guêpe de mer prise dans le corail noir, Banc des Blauquières, Parc National des Calanques, -78 m © Laurent Ballesta
Until Sept. 28, 2025 - More information museephotographie.nice.fr.