Villefranche-sur-Mer is preparing to become one of the main cultural epicentres of summer 2026 with the opening of The Absurd and the Dreamlike, an ambitious exhibition by Belgian artist Arne Quinze and Portuguese creator Joana Vasconcelos. The project will take place at La Citadelle – Centre d’art & Musée, a historic enclave that will serve as the setting for a large-scale artistic proposal.
Conceived as an immersive experience, the exhibition explores the boundaries between the real and the dreamlike, inviting visitors to reflect on the growing distance between humans and nature. Inspired by the surrealist legacy linked to Jean Cocteau, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the region, the exhibition offers a contemporary look at the absurd, imagination and poetic sensibility.
Curated by Selcan Atilgan and directed by Camille Frasca, the exhibition will be displayed in both monumental outdoor spaces and intimate indoor rooms. Sculptures, immersive installations, paintings, audiovisual works and sound pieces will make up an itinerary that seeks to integrate history, landscape and contemporary creation.
Joana Vasconcelos will contribute to this dialogue with her renowned ability to transform domestic objects into striking sculptural elements, blurring the boundaries between the private and the public. For his part, Arne Quinze will continue to explore the expressive potential of materials and organic forms, supported by collaborations with prestigious glass and ceramic craft workshops.
The project will also include previously unseen joint works, conceived specifically for the setting of La Citadelle, reinforcing the exclusive and site-specific nature of the exhibition. Each space will be conceived as a living canvas, where tradition, innovation and experimentation converge.
With this initiative, Villefranche-sur-Mer consolidates its position as a leading cultural destination in the Mediterranean, attracting collectors, art professionals and high-profile travellers. The Absurd and the Dreamlike is thus shaping up to be one of the must-see events on the international art calendar in 2026, where intellectual luxury and creative excellence come together in an exceptional heritage setting.
