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Concept
Le Lieu unique
Summary
The lieu unique is a center for contemporary culture located in Nantes, France. Opened at the beginning of the 21st century, it is housed in a former biscuit factory at the center of the city. It was founded by Jean Blaise, directed by Patrick Gyger from 2011 to 2020, and is currently directed by Eli Commins.
Scène nationale of Nantes (center for contemporary culture), the lieu unique is a space for artistic exploration, cultural effervescence and conviviality that is internationally recognized for its spirit of curiosity in the different domains of art: visual art, theatre, dance, circus, music, but also literature, philosophy, architecture, and digital culture.
Every year the lieu unique presents dozens of shows (theater, dance, circus and music as well as concerts, literary gatherings, philosophical debates, exhibitions, residencies for artists, festivals).
In 1895, the Nantes-based biscuit makers Lefèvre-Utile (LU), famous for their petit beurre cookies, built a factory on quai Ferdinand-Favre to develop new products. The structure, made entirely of concrete and metal, was innovative for its time and the two magnificent junction towers, which were added in 1909, make it one of Nantes’ most iconic buildings.
In 1986, and decades of expansion later, LU moved its production out of the city centre. Its old factories were mostly demolished and only the annex of the quai Ferdinand-Favre now remains standing.
From 1989, artists (in particular, the Royal de Luxe theatre troupe) began taking over the abandoned structure and turning it into a place of atypical creativity.
In 1994, in this abandoned building, the Centre de Recherche et de Développement Culturel (CRDC) a cultural association in Nantes, began to hold cultural events: Les Allumées (1990/91/92/93/94), Trafics (1996/97) and Fin de siècle (1997/98/99).
Jean Blaise, Director of the CRDC at the time, convinced the city of Nantes to preserve the building and transform it into a new type of living cultural space, that could also be a meeting place outside of exhibitions and performances.
Official source
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