THE FOUNDATION | QUESTIONS
Q&A
We have selected some of your frequent questions. If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us !
The launch of the Fondation d’entreprise Martell perpetuates the House’s tradition of patronage and collaborations, and reflects its desire to bring culture and savoir-faire to a wider audience. Founded in 1715 during the golden age of French art de vivre, the House of Martell has always been its proud ambassador, constantly reinventing it to combine heritage and modernity, excellence and curiosity, local ties and international influences.
The Fondation d’entreprise Martell is set to become
a new cultural destination. As a space of discovery and experimentation, the Fondation will draw the local Cognac heritage into a dialogue with artists and designers from all over the world. As a centre for innovation and culture deeply rooted in the local area, it aims is to become a motor for long-term growth and development, raising the profile of the entire Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
3200 is the number of square meters dedicated to the exhibition or creation spaces on the 6000 sqm of the entire building. In detail, this building of 6 levels will be arranged according to the following distribution.
The ground floor houses an exhibition hall dedicated to immersive installations. The 1st floor hosts the Ateliers du faire, creation studios where artists and artisans in residence will work together. The 2nd floor will be the Universe of knowledge, digital space of knowledge sharing. The 3rd floor will be a place of conviviality dedicated to events. The 4th floor will house the offices as well as a teaching area. The rooftop terrace already offers a panoramic tasting area open all season and operated by Maison Martell, whose furniture and furnishings are the result of artistic commissions.
The Foundation’s programme revolves around 4 major formats: exhibitions and installations, moments, knowing, making. Each of these formats offers visitors some new cultural and artistic contents. In exhibitions as in immersive installations, you will be invited to contemplate, to interact, to play. On the occasion of shared moments (conferences, screenings, meetings…), you will meet, exchange, have fun. In our workshops, you will explore, experiment, learn. This breathing rhythm of discovery is at the heart of the Foundation’s project.
An ambitious programme of improvements in the interior of the building, initiated by Martell, are going on. The ground floor and rooftop terrace reopening to the public occured in summer 2018, followed by a gradual opening of the other floors as the work is completed. The entire 6,000 sqm of the Fondation d’entreprise Martell will be accessible in 2020/2021.
The opening of the Fondation was also inspired by the House of Martell’s historic Gâtebourse building in Cognac. Built in 1929 by the architect Jean Chalard, on land acquired by Jean Martell in 1750, the structure – a stack of layers with five levels, three terraces and a rooftop terrace – was, until 2005, home to Martell’s bottling lines. The exterior renovation of the building, orchestrated by Bordeaux architects Brochet-Lajus-Pueyo, which opened up the façade, further strengthened the ties between the House of Martell and the town of Cognac.
Envisioned as a creative ecosystem, the Fondation d’entreprise Martell will offer a rich and varied schedule of events promoting the discovery and experimentation of culture and savoir-faire, as well as nurturing exchanges and collaborations on a local, national and international scale. On the historic site of Gâtebourse, whose modernist architecture makes it a landmark in Cognac, the Fondation d’entreprise Martell produces many projects since October 2016 (installation, architecture, residencies, crafts…) as a preview of the future schedule of events.
A crosswise programme, which may take the form of live shows, graphic interventions or cultural events, creates the link between these different sets as a permanent process of exploration and transmission.
The historical tower of Gâttebourse, which houses since 2018 the spaces of the Foundation, culminates at 24 meters height. Thus, it is in Cognac, the highest point accessible to the public. A panoramic terrace on the roof is open from May to September, allowing visitors to observe the Cognac territory and its surroundings at 360 degrees.
Would you like to participate in the next booking event organized by the Foundation? Nothing is easier ! You will find a booking link on the event page that will allow you to book your place online. In case of problem, do not hesitate to fill out the form on the Contact page or call us at 00 33 (0)5 45 36 33 51.
Some events are even open to all without reservation required.
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