L’ Atelier des Lumières is the first center of Digital Art in Paris, proposing unique immersive art exhibitions for all. This cultural space, located in the 11th District of Paris, opened in April 2018 with an exhibition dedicated to Gustav Klimt and Hundertwasser followed by the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh (above) in 2019. Despite its recent inauguration, l’Atelier des Lumières and its digital art installations are already a trend in Paris! 

IMMERSIVE ART DEFINITION:   It is that kind of art that happens when the viewer becomes a whole with the exhibit. In Immersive Art exhibitions, the spectator becomes part of the artwork, walking literally inside an artwork or interacting with it. Usually, Immersive Art experiences are mind-blowing experiences which involve different media, like sound, images or scents.

L’Atelier des Lumières was originally a foundry named Le Chemin-Vert, founded in 1835 by the Plichon brothers. Jacques François Alexandre and Hilaire Pierre, who were founders during the Industrial Revolution, wanted to meet the high demand for good quality cast iron parts by the navy and railway companies. The new foundry was located in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris, a working-class neighborhood with a dense fabric of artisanal businesses. It covered a space of 3.000m2 and employed 60 workers.

Le Chemin-Vert was successfully managed by the Plichon family for four generations. Unfortunately, the international crisis of 1929 struck hard also in France and after 100 years of service, the foundry had to close in 1935. The site and buildings were sold to the Martin family, the current owner, and the foundry became a tool manufacturing company. The new company operated until 2000.

Atelier des Lumières Paris

The place was re-discovered in 2013 by the President of Culturespaces. This association had already a similar space, Carrières de Lumières Art Centre in Provence, and they were looking for a place to create a similar 3d art museum in Paris. The Martin family loved the proposal and agreed to rent out the great hall and its annexes in 2014. After 4 years of major renovation works, L’Atelier des Lumières opened its doors on April 18 as a digital art center with the triple exhibition Klimt – Hundertwasser – Poetic Al.

IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCES WITH AMIEX TECHNOLOGY®:    This technology consists of thousands of images of works of art which are digitized, projected in very high resolution, and animated to the rhythm of the music to create a poetic environment. Of course, the image – space – music combination is as important as the artworks themselves. AMIEX® exhibits are tailor-made and they are perfectly adapted to the spaces where they work. The result, if well done, is a unique and mind-blowing experience, another way to experience art in Paris

Klimt Pregnant Woman 

ATELIER DES LUMIÈRES AND GUSTAV KLIMT:  For the opening of this 3d art museum, Atelier des Lumières chose an immersive art exhibition based in Gustav Klimt and Hundertwasser‘s work. Their colorful, iconic paintings are projected on the totality of the former factory, floor included. The visitor is plunged into the dark, surrounded by enchanting music when suddenly he finds himself immersed in the heart of Klimt’s artwork or inside Gustav Klimt landscapes as if he was part of them. We enjoyed their most iconic paintings, like the portraits or “his” women.

Klimt Woman in Gold

Also, we loved the feeling of being laid on the floor surrounded by the Klimt landscape and playing with his leaves and flowers. But we especially liked Gustav Klimt Tree of Life: watching how this tree was growing and developing its branches at the sound of the music was just magical.

Klimt Landscapes

Klimt Tree of Life

Friedrich Stowasser, better known by his pseudonym Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser, was an Austrian-born New Zealand artist and architect who also worked in the field of environmental protection.  

Hundertwasser House In Vienna

Bearer of the heritage of the Viennese Secession, Hundertwasser's work is focus onthe character of his subjects and the bright colors and organic forms used as well as the rejection of straight lines.