MAGASIN - CNAC (Centre National d'Art Contemporain)

Site Bouchayer-Viallet, 155 cours Berriat

About

Le Magasin gets its name from the building that houses the National Center for Contemporary Art, "magasin" being French for stock room. The building itself has an unusual history. It was built in Paris for the 1900 World's Fair by the Eiffel Company (they're better known for having erected a certain tower). After the event, two Grenoblois industrial barons bought the structure, dismantled it and rebuilt it where it stands today. Before serving as an art center, Le Magasin housed parts needed to build hydroelectric equipment. After falling into near ruin, the city bought Le Magasin in 1981 and re-opened it as a contemporary art center in 1986. It's 3,000 square meters of space and 1,600 square meters of windows make the site ideal for welcoming large-scale artistic creations such as Kader Attia's massive "Tsunami" which stood 15 meters high and 70 meters long. Visitors who prefer classical-style art may find the exhibits here a bit unsettling. Go with an open mind and enjoy the contemporary creations that will pique your curiosity, make you ask questions, or leave you baffled. Either way, Le Magasin offers a satisfying introduction to some of today's artists. Le Magasin-CNAC also houses a well-stocked bookshop specializing in contemporary art as well as museum curator training school.

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