Château La Coste is a place where contemporary art blends with nature and history to offer visitors a unique experience. The works are not merely art objects but invitations to reflect, feel, and connect more deeply with the world around us. Each of these works, in its own way, enriches the dialogue between humans, nature, and architecture, making Château La Coste a true sanctuary of contemporary creativity.
Art in the heart of nature
Le Château La Coste, located in Provence, is much more than a wine estate. It is an open-air museum where contemporary art harmoniously engages with nature. Among the iconic works at this unique place, those by Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, Oscar Niemeyer, Yoko Ono, Richard Serra, and Claire Tabouret stand out for their ability to transform the surrounding space while evoking profound themes.
Tadao Ando: The Resurrection of a 16th-Century Chapel
Tadao Ando's work at Château La Coste is a remarkable example of integrating contemporary architecture within a historical context. When the Japanese architect discovered the 16th-century chapel at the estate's highest point, he was immediately captivated by the idea of giving it a second life. The chapel, then in ruins, was restored and enhanced with the addition of a concrete pavilion, a signature of Tadao Ando. This simple, minimalist space, where natural light plays a central role, invites visitors to meditation and contemplation, while respecting the spirit of the original site.
Chapelle Tadao Ando
Kengo Kuma - Komorebi
Kengo Kuma: The Fusion of Nature and Architecture
In 2018, Kengo Kuma brought his unique vision to Château La Coste with Komorebi, an installation that perfectly illustrates his architectural philosophy. The term "komorebi" refers in Japanese to sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees, a phenomenon that the architect sought to capture in his work. Known for his mastery of materials and sensitivity to the environment, Kuma created a light, airy structure where natural materials overlap to evoke harmony between humans and nature. This installation invites visitors to reflect on how architecture can not only coexist with nature but also become an extension of it.
Oscar Niemeyer: A Flowing Pavilion for Art and Events
Oscar Niemeyer’s Pavilion, inaugurated in 2022, is a tribute to the elegance and simplicity of forms. This building, which seems to unfurl like a comma on the Provençal landscape, is designed to host exhibitions and private events. The structure, though minimalist, exudes a sense of fluid movement, reminiscent of a wave spreading from a perfect circle.
Oscar Niemeyer
Yoko Ono - Wish trees
Yoko Ono: Participatory Art in Service of Peace
In 2019, Yoko Ono installed Wish Trees at Château La Coste, an interactive work that invites visitors to personally engage. This installation, conceived in 1981, allows participants to write their wishes for peace on pieces of paper and hang them on tree branches. Yoko Ono’s work, rooted in the Japanese tradition of wishes and rituals, transforms the estate into a space for collective reflection and contemplation. The trees, laden with visitors' hopes, become living symbols of the universal quest for peace and harmony.
Richard Serra: The Imposing Aix
Richard Serra’s Aix, created in 2008, is one of the most imposing works at Château La Coste. Composed of metal plates arranged over three levels amid the hills, this piece appears to rise from the earth, as if the walls had grown among the vegetation. The robust materials and placement of the plates evoke the raw power of nature, while creating a space where the interaction between art, the landscape, and the viewer becomes an immersive experience.
Richard Serra: The Imposing Aix
Claire Tabouret: The Eloquence of Tears
Claire Tabouret: The Eloquence of Tears
Claire Tabouret, originally from the region, returns to Château La Coste with a poignant exhibition titled The Eloquence of Tears. Presented at the Renzo Piano Pavilion from July to September 2024, this exhibition explores themes of violence, suffering, and the representation of tears throughout art history. Tabouret's works, which include paintings, bronze sculptures, and ceramics, address the question of individual and collective identity in connection with deep emotions and painful events of our time. The Renzo Piano Pavilion, with its light-filled and open architecture, provides an ideal setting for this intense exploration of human emotions.