the world's oldest longest-running international artists' residency
This cultural heritage x contemporary arts project has been initiated by L'AiR Arts and Cité Falguière Association with the vision of establishing an International Arts Research Residency dedicated to the intercultural artistic exchange as the legacy of the École de Paris.
Atelier 11 is the last preserved atelier of the historical artists community of Cité Falguière in Paris. During its 150 years of artistic history, the Cité Falguière served as a working and living place to more than a hundred French and international artists, including Amedeo Modigliani, Tsuguharu Foujita, Constantin Brancusi, Chaïm Soutine, and Paul Gauguin. Known as the École de Paris, the exchange between artists of different nationalities, languages, cultures and religions resulted in a remarkable diversity of styles and marked the birth of Modernism, one of the most prolific periods in art history.
Often artists from different cultural and social backgrounds, such as Russian Chaïm Soutine and Italian Amedeo Modigliani shared the same atelier space that brought them closer together and provided the opportunity for exchange, encouragement and inspirations.
Atelier 11 is the last preserved atelier of the historical artists community of Cité Falguière in Paris. During its 150 years of artistic history, the Cité Falguière served as a working and living place to more than a hundred French and international artists, including Amedeo Modigliani, Tsuguharu Foujita, Constantin Brancusi, Chaïm Soutine, and Paul Gauguin. Known as the École de Paris, the exchange between artists of different nationalities, languages, cultures and religions resulted in a remarkable diversity of styles and marked the birth of Modernism, one of the most prolific periods in art history.
Often artists from different cultural and social backgrounds, such as Russian Chaïm Soutine and Italian Amedeo Modigliani shared the same atelier space that brought them closer together and provided the opportunity for exchange, encouragement and inspirations.
“One day I arrived around 11pm or midnight at the Cité Falguière.… Modigliani and Soutine were lying on the floor. Of course, there was no light or gas. They each held a candle in their hands; Modigliani was reading Dante and Soutine, Le Petit Parisien.” — PINCHUS KREMEGNE
Commemorated by Chaïm Soutine in his painting L’Atelier de l’artiste à la Cité Falguière from 1915-16, today Atelier 11 is the only testament to the history of this artistic community. A historic hub for artistic exchange, our vision is to revive the open and creative energy of the École de Paris by establishing an International Arts Research Residency with the mission to support cross-cultural dialogue through diverse cultural programming.
To celebrate the atelier’s historical legacy, in the summer-fall 2021 L’AiR Arts initiated various artistic research projects. The objective of these programs is to facilitate the continuity between centuries and to preserve the link between past and future by honouring historical residents of Cité Falguière and celebrating contemporary artists. It also offered post-pandemic opportunities, while helping to revive creative mobility and intercultural exchange.
The L'AiR Arts 2021 residency season marked the beginning of the atelier’s new chapter. An experimental collaborative platform for contemporary projects, Atelier 11 residency is supported by 4 main pillars: intercultural exchange, research, professional development, and creation. It is focused on solo and duo projects that run parallel to our international group programs, arts residencies for local practitioners, partner programs and events open to a broader community.
To celebrate the atelier’s historical legacy, in the summer-fall 2021 L’AiR Arts initiated various artistic research projects. The objective of these programs is to facilitate the continuity between centuries and to preserve the link between past and future by honouring historical residents of Cité Falguière and celebrating contemporary artists. It also offered post-pandemic opportunities, while helping to revive creative mobility and intercultural exchange.
The L'AiR Arts 2021 residency season marked the beginning of the atelier’s new chapter. An experimental collaborative platform for contemporary projects, Atelier 11 residency is supported by 4 main pillars: intercultural exchange, research, professional development, and creation. It is focused on solo and duo projects that run parallel to our international group programs, arts residencies for local practitioners, partner programs and events open to a broader community.
Visit us!
Atelier 11 was open to the general public for the first time as part of the European Heritage Days in September 2021. Conveniently situated in the historic district of Montparnasse, it is in a walking distance from the main cultural and artistic sites connected to the history of the École de Paris and beyond.
Before embarking on the restoration and renovation programme in the Fall 2022, Atelier 11 is open for special events, open studios and exhibitions, as well as by appointment. To visit Atelier 11 we invite you to join us for one of the Upcoming Events.
You can also discover Atelier 11 and its historical 3-level space on a virtual 3D tour, featuring The Fragile Power of Drawing exhibition presented as part of the Drawing Research Residency that seeks to pursue the tradition of artistic research in Paris.
Before embarking on the restoration and renovation programme in the Fall 2022, Atelier 11 is open for special events, open studios and exhibitions, as well as by appointment. To visit Atelier 11 we invite you to join us for one of the Upcoming Events.
You can also discover Atelier 11 and its historical 3-level space on a virtual 3D tour, featuring The Fragile Power of Drawing exhibition presented as part of the Drawing Research Residency that seeks to pursue the tradition of artistic research in Paris.
Atelier 11 Restoration & Research
Bursting with artistic and cultural heritage, the Atelier requires restoration. To preserve the architectural heritage of this remarkable building and to continue the artistic legacy of Montparnasse within the contemporary culture, L’AiR Arts Association together with local and international artists and architects plans to initiate an extensive restoration and renovation of both exterior and interior spaces of the Atelier. Set to reopen in 2023, the renovation will result in a multi-functional welcoming spaces that will preserve the essence and artistic spirit of a quintessential artist studio of Montparnasse while offering interdisciplinary platform for contemporary projects.
As we restore the last remaining artist studio of Cité Falguière, we also plan to reconstruct the history of this exceptional artists' residency and uncover the individual stories of its past residents. Our research and communications will aim to promote and highlight 150 years of artistic life at the Cité Falguière, contributing to the influence of the École de Paris on the global arts community.
Bursting with artistic and cultural heritage, the Atelier requires restoration. To preserve the architectural heritage of this remarkable building and to continue the artistic legacy of Montparnasse within the contemporary culture, L’AiR Arts Association together with local and international artists and architects plans to initiate an extensive restoration and renovation of both exterior and interior spaces of the Atelier. Set to reopen in 2023, the renovation will result in a multi-functional welcoming spaces that will preserve the essence and artistic spirit of a quintessential artist studio of Montparnasse while offering interdisciplinary platform for contemporary projects.
As we restore the last remaining artist studio of Cité Falguière, we also plan to reconstruct the history of this exceptional artists' residency and uncover the individual stories of its past residents. Our research and communications will aim to promote and highlight 150 years of artistic life at the Cité Falguière, contributing to the influence of the École de Paris on the global arts community.
I’m so happy to know L’AiR Arts have emerged from the pandemic stronger and more committed and engaged than ever. This new development, the use and restoration of Atelier 11, is brilliant, harmonious with your mission, and historically important, looking both forward and back. Bravo to all involved. - Rosalyn Driscoll, USA, L'AiR Arts alumna artist-in-residence
With support from partners in France and around the world, we hope to restore the artistic spirit of this global arts community in Paris and to ensure its sustainability for generations to come. Please join our collective efforts of preserving, restoring and animating the living heritage of the École de Paris represented by the Atelier 11.