Art For All
4
4
Date of visit: June 2024
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
It was fantastic to be able to make a return visit to this amazing art museum which is almost like a huge art installation in itself (see video). The foundation displays the work of the 20th Century Hungarian contemporary artist Victor Vasarely who wanted an ‘art for all’ society and the accessible nature of the venue represents this for me; I love it! He is credited as the father of ‘optical’ art and took inspiration from the art around him in nature and the environment, for example, his collection “Hommage à l’hexagone” was inspired by beehives. The architects who designed the hexagonal-cell structured buildings reflected Vasarely’s love of hexagonal shapes. His art also reflects his ideas around a city for the future; the building itself is a ‘lumino-kinetic’ sculpture.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The scale of the works is massive and awe-inspiring on the lower floor with cells of 30 metres high containing huge installations along with smaller, no less amazing works on the upper floor. There is a refreshment area on the upper floor too with a balcony to take some time out from all the colourful, kinetic stimulation if you need it and plenty of seating throughout the building. There is also an accessible lift which an attendant will operate.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
We drove up to the Vasarely Foundation and we had no trouble parking as it was very quiet that day but I think you could park outside on the road if not. We had to alert the staff at reception that we had a wheelchair and they opened an accessible door for us. They were very helpful, however, if you are on your own in a wheelchair, it might be more difficult to alert the staff; a door buzzer or an automatic door would be a solution to this. There are frequent buses up to the area from the bus station in Aix en Provence taking about 14 minutes but you’d still have to walk about 350 metres to the foundation.
Accessible Toilets
Good
There was an accessible toilet which I accessed via an attendant as I did not have a universal key to gain entry. Inside was fairly clean albeit a bit worn, spacious and had grab rails. I'm not sure about a red cord or the French equivalent as I had to rush; the really pleasant and helpful staff were already working late to accomodate our visit.
Staff
Excellent
All the staff were fantastic, friendly and helpful. It was great to talk to them about the art as you could hear their enthusiasm on the subject.
Additional Information
This is a must for lovers of contemporary art and I'll definitely return.
