Jean-Pierre Blanc is the Director of the Villa Noailles, which operates as a national hub for fashion, art and design.
He is a passionate, committed man with strong values and he is devoted to promoting young artists and designers. Jean-Pierre Blanc is the Director of the Villa Noailles, art centre of national significance.
Villa Noailles is an architectural gem designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens for Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles, a couple of avant-garde patrons of the arts who had a particular appreciation for the decorative arts, music and dance, and who wanted, to quote them, a «small house that is interesting to live in»
•
As Jean-Pierre so aptly writes in the preface to the book ‘Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles, Mécènes du XXe siècle’ published by the Villa Noailles, it is a place «that is magical, lived-in, extraordinarily beautiful, whose facades Robert Mallet-Stevens knew so well how to carve. A heliotropic villa, it lights up at the first rays of the sun, plays with shadows during the day and then blazes in the twilight.»
•
This staunchly modern house is celebrating its centenary this year.
You climb up the alleyways of the Old Town of Hyères and you come here almost like on a pilgrimage — its original name, Clos Saint Bernard, almost evokes a place of worship, of quiet reflection.
And it has somehow become a place of aesthetic worship and contemplation for artists in residence, as well as for visitors.
•
As a worthy spiritual heir to the Noailles family, Jean-Pierre Blanc perpetuates their commitment to supporting creation, and the venue's vocation of welcoming artists and the public.
Passionate and driven by deep-rooted values, Jean-Pierre talks to us in particular about his vision of the French system, his conception of leadership and his definition of public service.
By listening to our conversation, I hope you will be able to feel both the spirit of the place and of the Noailles family, and the radiant energy of this man dedicated to promoting young creation.
•
I met Emmanuelle Roule Thanks to Charlotte Brunet, LA Marseillaise is indispensable. The Charlotte Brunet Agency She offers the curation and organization of sensitive experiences, and in particular artistic projects. She thus introduced me to gems, including a workshop visit with Emmanuelle Roule.
Born in Saint-Etienne, now based in Marseille after living and working in Paris and abroad, Emmanuelle Roule is a designer, art director and ceramist.
A graduate of ENSAMAA Olivier de Serres, Emmanuelle started out in graphic design before discovering ceramics almost by chance.
Whether she talks to us about bees, geology or design, Emmanuelle offers a rich and technical analysis without being hermetic. Quite the opposite.
Because everything she undertakes is guided by a great curiosity and a desire to break down the barriers between all disciplines.
Immediate embarkation for a journey to the center of the Earth.
Granddaughter of the painter François Bret, who founded the’Luminy School of Fine Arts and Architecture in Marseille,
And daughter of Marie-Christine and Roger Pailhas, famous for the eponymous gallery in Marseille and also founder of Art dealers, which he liked to describe as «the smallest art fair in the world»,
Julie Pailhas has always been immersed in art — and entrepreneurship.
She started alongsideOlivier Saillard at the Fashion Museum in Marseille, before doing an internship in the press department of Dries Van Noten in Paris.
From opportunity to recommendation, Julie then worked as a fashion stylist and artistic director for numerous iconic magazines for 25 years.
And then lockdown called her back to her home city, Marseille, where she created in 2021 Inanimate Objects, her flat-gallery.
Stylist – curator – gallery owner, Julie is renowned for her discerning eye, her flair and a certain radicalism.
It was the first time I'd met her, and I couldn't leave!
Together, we naturally talked about her journey, and how she managed to find her place within such a family; ;
And, of course, the design and organisation of its exhibitions, whether held on-site or off-site; ;
From its business model; ;
And how and why it differs from a traditional gallery.
With the desire to showcase emerging or established artists, Julie Pailhas has created, in her own home, a unique space that reflects her personality and brings people together.
Portrait of Julie and her cat Momo in her flat-gallery in Marseille © Florian Touzet
