May 11, 2024:
We made it to Arles in the late afternoon from Camarague. As we struggled to find nearby parking for the LUMA Art Complex/Frank Gehry Tower, we thought we were going to be too late to see the tower and art complex (this turned out not to be true – we thought the last entry was at 4:30 pm, it was actually at 5:15 pm, so we made it with plenty of time to spare). We parked at a pay car park, Parking Yvan Audouard, a short 6 minute-walk just east of the next door railroad tracks. Another option for pay parking is the Parking du Centre in Arles (an 8-minute walk).
Aerial view of the LUMA Art Complex/Frank Gehry Tower – Photo: archdaily.com
The exhibitions and Frank Gehry Tower are free and open Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm, last entry at 5:15 pm; the landscaped park is open daily 7 am – 8:30 pm; 35 Avenue Victor Hugo; +33 4 90 47 76 17; see www.luma.org/en/arles.html for current exhibitions.
The Frank Gehry Tower is the centerpiece of the LUMA Arts Complex, where an expanse of former railway workshops have been converted by Selldorf Architects into places for the making and display of art: studios, exhibition and performance spaces, artists’ residences and what is described as a “friendly restaurant” (no drinks without buying a food item).
Old Railroad Workshops – LUMA Arts Complex – Arles
Around them are water and vegetation arranged by the landscape architect Bas Smets. In the buildings and landscape we encountered contemporary works or art: a fluorescent skateboard park by Koo Jeong A; a swirling mosaic by Kerstin Brätsch, and more.
Swirling mosaic by Kerstin Brätsch – LUMA Art complex – Arles
Pink sculpture by Franz West
Caption by Rirkrit Tiravanija
The Frank Gehry Tower is built of metal and constantly changes its view based on the sun’s reflection, inspired by the squirling paintings of Van Gogh.
The changing shapes of the Frank Gehry Tower based on the reflected light
Enclosed in the tower are more contemporary art installations, a wonderful filmed interview of Frank Gehry about the creation of the tower and building, along with a brief introductory film to LUMA, a double helix spiral staircase designed by Frank Gehry, and a pair of downward-spiralling tubular slides answering each other across a tall atrium. The slides are by the artist Carsten Höller and are a must try for their speedy descent from the second down two floors to the ground floor,
Tubular slides by the artist Carsten Höller
The stairs and the building around them are by the great 95 year old architect Frank Gehry. If you look up the cylindrical void in the center of the stairs, you will see yourself reflected in an angled and slowly moving mirror designed by Olafur Eliasson.
Double helix spiral staircase – moving mirror by Olafur Eliasson
Looking at the mirror
Don’t forget to ride the lift to the top floor of the tower (9th floor) for great views of Arles.
View from the 9th floor of the Frank Gehry Tower