To discover the collections of 12 founding national museums (*) and to guarantee access to culture for all, this digital museum is an emotional hub that enlivens the Norman territory.
The concept of Micro-Madness
Inspired by the Folies in Paris' Parc de la Villette, the innovative Micro-Folie project, led by the Ministry of Culture and coordinated by La Villette, is now spreading to Calvados.
On December 17, 2019, the inauguration of Colombelles is the 77th creation of this type while the Minister Franck Riester's goal is to open 1,000 of them in the medium term. This 3-in-1 venue that brings together a digital museum, a fablab and a virtual reality space, meets 3 very concrete objectives: enliven the territories, offer masterpieces to all and promote creation. With only one watchword: complimentary.
The Grande Halle community space
This new cultural centre is located in the existing structure of the Grande Halle (Wip), which was inaugurated on October 11 after 18 months of work.
A strong symbol for the former workshop of the Société Métallurgique de Normandie where 6,400 workers produced 4 % of the national steel production at the height of its activity. Closed in 1993, this vestige of the region's workers' history is experiencing a new life that mixes work, creativity and leisure. With 3,000 m2 (32,291 sq. ft) on three levels, the shared offices, workshops, artists' residences, restaurants and showrooms make up a cooperative arsenal. Bringing Micro-Folie onboard reinforces the cultural offering of the Grande Halle. The plateau of Colombelles is once again becoming a living space for the people and an attractive and highly active cooperative space.
A connected cultural centre
"Is it a folly to want to take the great works of humanity out of the museums of Paris and disseminate them in the territories?".
To this rhetorical question, which the regional director of Cultural Affairs in Normandy had asked, La Folie answered, "No." The digital museum and the 500 masterpieces accessible to the public via a giant screen and synchronized tablets are evidence of this. Feel like a visit to the Palace of Versailles? Just click. To ponder the mystery of the Mona Lisa? Zoom in! And the fablab workshop, equipped with 3D printers, digital sewing machines and computers, encourages creativity that is not just virtual.
This collaborative project, designed for and with residents, is based on community life to create a warm and multiple space.
(*) Centre Pompidou, Château de Versailles, Cité de la musique - Philharmonie de Paris, Festival d'Avignon, Institut du monde arabe, Musée du Louvre, Musée national Picasso, Musée d'Orsay, Musée du Quai Branly- Jacques Chirac, National Opera of Paris, Rmn-Grand Palais, Universcience.
Colombelles is 10 km from the city of Caen
Related reading:
- The Great War reporter Patrick Chauvel sets up his archives at the Caen Memorial
- The city of Caen has been promoted "tourist area" since 11 December 2019
The housing solution in Caen
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