ESPACE LYMPIA EXHIBITION

Anima(ex)musica The Giant Insect Symphony

Ongoing

Until January 26, head for the Espace Lympia exhibition

This fascinating installation by the "tout/reste/à/faire" collective promises to transform your perception of musical instruments and insects.
A dozen monumental sculptures, inspired by microscopic fauna, come to life through fragments of instruments once doomed to abandonment.

Credit photo Lara Laigneau

Espace Lympia Anima(ex)musica exhibition

When art brings music back to life in the form of giant insects.
Imagine broken, neglected instruments brought back to life as animated creatures of sound.
This is the challenge taken up by Mathieu Desailly (visual artist), Vincent Gadras (scenographer and builder) and David Chalmin (musician and composer), the brains behind the anima(ex)musica project.
In this exhibition, each giant insect is meticulously assembled from pieces of instruments such as pianos, guitars and harmoniums, revealing to the public the hidden beauty of musical mechanics: from piano hammers to accordion mechanisms.

A visual and auditory experience

Each sculpture in the exhibition is much more than a static work of art.
It invites you to a sensory exploration in which each insect unveils its own melody, orchestrated from the instruments of which it is composed.
A cleverly integrated amplification system triggers the music as you enter the space, making the encounter even more immersive and mysterious.
The exhibition highlights this evocative quote from Charles Darwin

"It's their small size that makes it impossible for us to imagine what insects look like. If it were possible to imagine a male Chalcosoma with its polished bronze armor and intricate horns that was the size of a horse, or simply the size of a dog, it would become one of the most impressive animals on the planet."
- Charles Darwin (Scarab-rhinoceros found in Southeast Asia)

CRedit Photo Marc Rapillard

The do-it-yourself collective

The tout/reste/à/faire collective, founded in 2015 in Kerbors, comprises seven members committed to the creation of this exceptional project.
In addition to Desailly, Gadras and Chalmin, the team includes Mathilde Coulon, Marion Barbier, Gwénola Drillet, Hervé Le Charlès, Lydia Le Charlès, Anne Le Ralec and Maud Resmond, each contributing to the magic of the exhibition through their artistic expertise and rigorous management of administrative, logistical and economic aspects.

Photo by Nicolas Joubard

Key exhibition figures

- 52 guitars reused to create the giant chip
- 12 pianos metamorphosed to give birth to the Colorado beetle
- 300 hours of painstaking work per sculpture
- 12 impressive sculptures presented at Espace Lympia

Sculpture making

During the Espace Lympia exhibition, 12 monumental sculptures come to life, much to the delight of visitors.
For the curious, here's a detailed look at the composition of three of these "technico-musical" creations.

Discover the chip sculpture

Pulex irritans - an impressive 2.1-metre-long sculpture composed of :

• 10 folk guitars
• 36 electric guitars
• 1 bass guitar
• 3 mandolins
• 2 ukuleles
• 1 Vietnamese lute
• 2 congas
• 1 harmonium
• 1 pneumatic piano
• 1 accordion
• 1 snare drum
• 1 mouth organ
• 2 recorders

The flea is a tiny but remarkable insect, wingless and laterally flattened, enabling it to sneak into the fur of mammals. Its long, powerful hind legs enable it to jump up to 30 cm in height, despite its microscopic size (1 to 1.5 mm).
Flea larvae, similar to small legless worms, live in environments such as floor cracks, feeding on organic debris and adult excrement.
Historically, Pulex irritans contributed to the spread of the Black Death in the 14th century, but has virtually disappeared from modern cities thanks to home heating. Today, it's mainly cat fleas that bite humans.

The 2.7-metre phasma

Composed of :

• 6 lecterns
• 2 darboukas
• 10 accordions
• 12 violins
• 8 cellos
• 1 mute
• 1 harmonium
• 2 trumpets
• 1 piano
• 1 cymbal

Photo Credit marc rapillard

The 2-metre scolopendre

Composed of :

- 2 upright pianos
- 1 grand piano
- 1 pneumatic piano
- 2 cellos
- 1 Chinese mandolin
- 1 accordion
- 2 bell bells

The scolopendre is a myriapod often called a centipede, although it generally has 21 to 23 pairs of legs, one per segment.
Equipped with venomous fangs located under the head, it uses its venom to capture and paralyze its prey, mainly insects and arachnids.
This nocturnal predator lives in rocky environments and under tree trunks, and the female takes care of her offspring from the moment they are laid, protecting the eggs until they hatch.

These works of art combining music and nature can be discovered atEspace Lympia this winter.
A surprising encounter where musical technique and entomological art blend to offer a unique and fascinating vision.

Entrance to Espace Lympia, Nice's former penal colony

Guided tours and creative workshops

Guided tours of the Anima(ex)musica exhibition

Immerse yourself in a unique world of art and sound
Discover a captivating guided tour where musical instruments and insects meet in a daring artistic fusion.
Pianos, violins, flutes, drums and other instruments come to life as animated creatures of sound.
As you explore, let yourself be carried away by the artists' narratives and plunge into the mysterious world of arthropods.
Let yourself be surprised by the poetry and realism of these hybrid sculptures, which blur the boundaries between nature and art.

The tour, led by Aude Mazel, cultural mediator at the Espace Lympia in Nice Nice is an opportunity for exchange and discovery for all ages 6 and up.

Practical information

Duration: 1 hour
Audience: All ages 6 and up

Guided tour dates:
- Saturday, November 9 at 11h00
- Saturday, November 16 at 14h00
- Saturday, November 30 at 11h00
- Saturday, December 7 at 11h00
- Saturday, January 4 at 11h00
- Saturday, January 11 at 11h00
- Saturday, January 25 at 11h00

 Creative workshops for young and old

Throughout the exhibition, creative workshops are organized for children aged 8 and over.
These playful moments are perfect for families and friends, offering an opportunity to immerse themselves even further in the world of anima(ex)musica.

Discover the full program

To find out more about the workshops and activities taking place during the exhibition, see the full program at https://espacelympia.departement06.fr/activites-tout-public

See you at Espace Lympia

Don't miss this exhibition that redefines the boundaries between art and music.
Anima(ex)musica is a vibrant tribute to imagination and inventiveness.
Come and explore this visual and sonic symphony from November 2, 2024 to January 26, 2025, and marvel at the perfect marriage of art, music and nature.