The programming study and the realization of the Scientific and Culture Project (PSC) of the future Mentor museum is carried out in two successive stages:
1 / Feasibility study, positioning, museographic and architectural pre-programming
2 / Programming study and establishment of the PSC document
Elsa Olu Conseil has just sent in late March 2019 step one of its study.
It can be summarized as follows:
Solliès Toucas does not benefit from passing tourism but can try to capture an audience by offering significant equipment in the landscape of the Var tourist offer. Well-calibrated equipment is able to make Solliès Toucas a destination for itself. The image is to be completely constructed and must reflect the container and the contents. The cultural offer on offer in the Var is a weak point in tourist activity.
The collection of works of art from 1934 to 1995 and the belongings of Blasco Mentor, owned by the municipality, will constitute the essential background of the future museum. We recall that it consists of around 400 paintings, more than 1000 drawings, 91 lithographs and 150 sculptures. Finally, it should be noted that many of his works can be found in public or private collections and that there is a market for the sale of his works.
The first important remark of the study concerns the location reserved at the corner of the departmental and the avenue of the Casblianca submarine. It seems that the area of the land is not sufficient for a correct sizing of the museum and the necessary parking spaces. The architecture and / or the place of installation must therefore be particularly studied.
The second remark concerns investment. The project is estimated at 13.5 million euros. Its funding goes far beyond the framework of our municipality. It must be considered in a wider territorial circle with the support of local authorities, national institutions and patrons.
The third remark concerns its future operation. It must be endowed with sufficient means to ensure its functioning and its influence. This cost must be taken into account. The organization by the future operator must be in place well before the delivery of the project.
Despite everything, the study recommends:
- A monographic museum around the work of Blasco Mentor
- Perfectly independent from Casa Nieves
- Chronological presentation of the works by period, all media combined (painting, drawings, sculptures) Offering thematic rooms reserved for its major cycles (Bullfighting, Woman with bird, etc.)
- And by retracing the creative process (around the works of La Courneuve, Milan, sets and models)
- Offering audiences more intimate entrances into . The life of the committed artist .
- The artist’s studio, private spaces .
- The life of man, his correspondence and writings, art critics etc.
The study projects museum attendance at around 60,000 visitors / year.
The study recommends an interior surface of the museum of 2216 m2 and 1200 m2 of garden and open patio.
Casa Nieves is not integrated into the study itself, however, after its renovation and upgrading, it could offer intimate events such as concerts, reading, include a study library space for doctoral students and researchers and private visits in particular within the framework of the counterparts of partnerships and sponsorship that must be found.
The next stage of the study will propose an optimized solution with regard to all the constraints and in particular different scenarios on the necessary surfaces and / or location.
Friends of Blasco Mentor’s work