"1974 - Past, Present, Future" The 50th anniversary exhibition of Villa Benkemoun

Arles, 1974. Simone and Pierre Benkemoun realize their dream by building, with the help of architect Émile Sala, a unique and organic villa, designed as an oasis of tranquility to welcome family and friends. 50 years later, this house, a true witness to a bygone era, is the setting for a captivating exhibition entitled " 1974 - Past, Present, Future ", organized by their daughter, Brigitte Benkemoun .

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 1970s with a selection of iconic works and discover how this decade shaped contemporary art. The walls of this house, a 20th-century heritage site, still echo with the laughter and convivial moments that marked its history.

Until September 29 , let yourself be transported to another time, an era both nostalgic and revolutionary. Don't miss a visit to this villa, a true architectural gem, for a total immersion in the 1970s.

INDIES at Villa Benkemoun

Located just minutes from Arles city center, Villa Benkemoun unfolds its generous curves over more than 500 m² of living space on a property of more than one hectare. Its architect, Emile Sala, is part of a movement that, at the turn of the 1970s, revisited the concept of organic architecture. With its many openings, this villa is brimming with conviviality, its curves and counter-curves bringing fluidity and dynamism.

In this avant-garde universe, the Indies team took over the premises during their latest shoot and soaked up its sunny and warm atmosphere. It was on this occasion that Anne de Gravelaine, president of the Indies group, and Brigitte Benkemoun met. A committed player in cultural patronage, the Indies group decided to support the villa's 50th anniversary exhibition. Support for this event marks a beautiful synergy between the worlds of art and fashion, uniting their values ​​around family, creativity, and sharing.

The 1974 Past, Present, Future exhibition

This unique exhibition presents a selection of works meticulously chosen by curator and artistic director Raphaël Giannesini. Joseph-André Motte's Pop furniture, Maurizio Vertrugno's refined textiles, Romain Laprade's photographs, and Marius Steiger's evocative canvases will adorn the villa's organic spaces, creating a harmonious dialogue with its exceptional architecture.

Conceived as a crossover between utopia and reality, this exhibition unites art, design, music, and fashion. The works of artists and designers from yesterday and today thus question, throughout the pavilions, the creative legacy of this pivotal year, torn between the oil crisis and the Veil law.

The artists exhibited

ABSALON, ANDY WAHROL, ATELIER BAPTISTE & JAÏNA, ALAIN JACQUET, BEATRICE BALCOU, BERGER & BERGER, CLAUDE PARENT, DEBORAH BOWMANN, ELSA & JOHANNA, ENZO MARI, HÉLÈNE FAUQUET, INDIA MAHDAVI, ISABELLE CORNARO, JACQUES VILLEGLÉ, JOSEPH ANDRÉ MOTTE, MARION CHAILLOU MAURIZIO VETRUGNO, MICHEL JOURNIAC, NICOLE GRAVIER, NOËL DOLLA, RAPHAEL SITBON, REAR.RM, RODRIGUE DE FERLUC & JULIETTE GEORGE, TOM GIAMPIERI, ROMAIN LAPRADE, SERGIO SARRI, VERNER PANTON, VICTOR VASARELY.

The "1974 - Past, Present, Future" exhibition at Villa Benkemoun is much more than a simple tribute to exceptional architecture and a historic turning point. It offers a sensory journey through art, design, and history, while questioning our relationship with heritage and modernity. By combining iconic works with contemporary creations, this exhibition forges profound links between the utopias of the past and the realities of the present, echoing the major social and artistic transformations of the 1970s.

Until September 29, let yourself be transported to this timeless universe and discover an essential part of our cultural heritage, where each work and each space tells a unique story. An unmissable immersion not to be missed.

Villa Benkemoun

The exhibition