Vasarely's 'Polychrome City of Happiness' celebrates its 50th anniversary in Aix-en-Provence

On August 15, 1976, Victor Vasarely inaugurated an extraordinary venue in Aix-en-Provence, conceived as a 'synthesis of the arts' on an urban scale. Named the 'Polychrome City of Happiness' (Cité polychrome du bonheur), this architecture of striking geometric forms was meant to embody the idea of art accessible to all, integrated into everyday life. Half a century later, the Vasarely Foundation, which manages this listed site, pays tribute to it through a special program running until the end of 2026.

The centerpiece of this anniversary is an exhibition titled 'The Polychrome City of Happiness, 50 Years of Utopia,' which revisits the history of the place. Designed as a journey through time, it brings together archival documents, models, and major works by Vasarely, some of which have never been shown to the public. The display highlights the project's genesis, from its first sketches to its realization, as well as its influence on subsequent generations of artists and architects.

Vasarely, born in 1906 in Hungary and settled in France in 1930, is considered the father of optical and kinetic art. His approach, based on repeating motifs and optical illusions, aimed to create a universal visual language, infinitely reproducible. The Polychrome City, comprising several buildings with colorful facades, was to serve as a showcase for these ideas, integrating monumental works into an architectural framework designed by the artist himself.

In addition to the exhibition, the Foundation offers a series of lectures and educational workshops for families, exploring the links between art, science, and society. A richly illustrated catalog, published for the occasion, traces the adventure of this unique place in Europe. The event is part of a broader rediscovery of the artistic heritage of the 1970s, a period often reduced to its formal experiments but which also carried strong social ambitions.

The Vasarely Foundation hopes to attract a new, younger audience, drawn to the colorful and pop aesthetic of the site. At a time when Vasarely's work is experiencing renewed interest on the art market, this anniversary should strengthen Aix-en-Provence's appeal as a cultural destination. Beyond the festivities, it raises the question of preserving a modern heritage, fragile and often misunderstood, which deserves renewed attention.

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Written by the ADM desk based on Beaux Arts Magazine. Read the original article for the full story.