Story#4 - Aymeric
Aymeric Jeudy, directeur adjoint, Musée Matisse
Some months ago, during one of the last lockdowns, I met Aymeric Jeudy, one of the directors of Musée Matisse, in Nice. As with all cultural activities, the museum was closed, but he kindly agreed to find some time and meet me.
A strange feeling to be in a museum where all paintings and sculptures are covered and in low light. Particularly when you expect Matisse’s typical colours and energy.
I intended to document the feelings of cultural operators and understand how an institution like a museum was preparing for the post-COVID and find their story of hope.
I imagined an expected shift to virtual visits and online presence. Can't visitors come to the museum? No problem, we make sure people can connect to a website. I was wrong.
About the mission of a museum
“The mission of a museum is not to promote virtual visits. Particularly for a gallery such as Musée Matisse. We want to accompany a visitor in the universe of Matisse and possibly let him understand the heritage of this place. You can't do this online. We offer an experience”
I was also wrong on another dimension. When a museum is closed for many weeks, that doesn't mean there is nothing to do.
"We build our catalogue, seek for collaborations and continue our research on Matisse and his legacy. Moreover, we have learnt something important: local people, starting from the district of Cimiez, need to come here".
Musée Matisse attracts a high number of American and Asian tourists. During the different lockdowns, the museum received many testimonies of people who missed the museum's activities, the visits, the ateliers, the academic proposal, including the ateliers for children.
"It was a clear indication that people need the museum: this gives us stronger motivation to prepare for the post-COVID".
People living in Cimiez is essential for the cultural offering of the museum. Matisse is a universal artist and will continue attracting American tourists, and young artists, but the museum will strengthen its local connotation.
The history of the Nice Matisse Museum is closely linked to the donations made by Matisse and his heirs, as well as to his deep attachment to Nice, the city in which he produced the largest part of his work. The Museum and this located on the Cimiez hill whit its historic neighbourhood.
"You can't see Musées Matisse in isolation. When you come here, we want visitors to spend time in the 'Jardin de Cimiez'; visit the Monastery, its garden and the unique roses; the roman archeologic ruins with the arena; the 'Regina Palace', which hosted Matisse's atelier. Matisse is buried 5 minutes from here".
I found special energy in Aymeric and how he was planning the reopening of the museum, focusing on involving local communities, integrating the museum with its surroundings, ensuring visitors can have a complete experience of Matisse, beyond the painting of the famous French painter.
I strongly encourage to visit Musée Matisse with this spirit.
Thank you for your time Aymeric, it was really inspiring meeting you. Another story of hope, that builds on Matisse’s legacy and relaunch the importance of culture..
Creativity takes courage (Henry Matisse)
STORIES of HOPE. Simple stories of ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of future. I have been meeting incredible people, that transmit energy, passion, engagement. I talk to them and try to find their message of hope.
