Fondation Jean Paul Blachère

An aesthetic and humanist project

The BLACHERE COMPANY is specialized in illuminations. Rooted at the local level, it develops in the global. If it opens widely on the world, it stays of human dimension and does not lose the soul in the transcontinental logic. Its humanist project is inspired by this.

Jean Paul Blachère helps for a long time Africa and since 2004 with his Foundation of company by the spreading of the African contemporary art under all his forms.

Project is at the same moment aesthetic and humanist. It is a question of helping Africa to develop by the work of his artists by allowing them to confront with the other cultures and by offering them a fair access to the markets of the whole world in conditions which are fair.

Foundation is provided since 2005 with a center of art situated in the heart of industrial park of Apt, adjacent to the company. It also has a resource center, a bookshop, a gallery and a shop.

Foundation develops several types of actions

These articulate the some with regard to the others to create a coherent set.

-The publishing of a review allows to treat transverse subjects and to present in a deepened way the politics of promotion and purchase of the Foundation.

-Three annual, monographic and thematic exhibitions, inside the centre of art present invited works, works of the collection and the product of places of residence and workshops. A permanent exhibition of sculptures is visible in the garden.

-Artists' places of residence (between three and five a year) allow African artists invited according to projects, to work during several weeks in the heart of the company and around the light.

-The organization of workshops allows the assembling of ten or more artists and favors a confrontation both intercultural and intergenerational. Every year, two crossed workshops take place in France and in Africa in Accra, Ouagadougou, Bamako...

-Actions of partnership are led in Africa: Biennale of contemporary art of Dakar, Biennale of the photography of Bamako, Duta to Douala, urban Scenographies in Kinshasa, Boulev art in Cotonou....

Program 2008 - 2009

-From October 28th till January 18th, 2009: Exhibition Bamako (photography and video). Invited artists: Adama Bamba ( Mali), Sammy Baloji ( RDC), Jodi Bieber ( South Africa), Ghislain El Magambo Gulda ( RDC), Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi ( Zimbabwe), Amal Kenawy ( Egypt) and the collective of the students of ESN ( Paris) and CAMM ( Bamako).

-December 6th and 7th, 2009: Traditional weekend opened doors Boutik around a tea of Christmas.

-From February 10th till May 31st, 2009: Exhibition Rosa Park's refusal by the Senegalese artist Ndary Lô.

-February 10th, 2009: private viewing exhibition.

-From June 9th till October 11th, 2009: thematic Exhibition Animal, anima. How does the animal figure haunt creation, or about importance of the world zoomorphe in contemporary works?

-June 9th, 2009: private viewing exhibition

-From October 27th till January 17th , 2010: DAK’ART. Exhibition of the works of the 5 artists selected by the Foundation during the Biennal of Dakar: Ngoor ( Senegal), Tchalé ( Green Cap), Touré Mandémory ( Senegal), Samba Fall ( Senegal), Yoko Breeze ( South Africa).