“ There are already many museums. If we built another one, it wouldn’t be very different, not very appealing, or it would simply attract the traditional audience .” However, Frédéric Jousset, founder of Art Explora, wants to open the doors of culture to a different audience , and if possible, to as many people as possible. Through his foundation, the museum-boat (a 47-meter-long catamaran-sailing vessel that can accommodate up to 150 people simultaneously) continues its cultural odyssey around the Mediterranean. It will be anchored in Marseille from June 6 to 18, promising to bring the Old Port to life with a rich cultural program, including an opening concert by Zaho de Sagazan, the singer who has won four Victoires de la Musique awards this year.

Art Explora, the promotion of art and culture in their entirety

The foundation aims to reach a broad audience, primarily those who don't typically engage with existing cultural offerings. To achieve this, it has opted for a diverse range of art forms, showcasing digital works to be discovered aboard the ship: "Présentes," an immersive exhibition created in collaboration with the Louvre Museum highlighting female figures in Mediterranean civilizations, and an immersive sound journey through the Mediterranean produced by IRCAM and IRCAM Amplify. " Art Explora complements traditional cultural offerings; that's why we're interested in everything from the foot of a Greek statue to a hip-hop battle, and we don't define ourselves as a foundation dedicated to visual, plastic, or contemporary art ," explains Frédéric Jousset.

Bringing the public together around the fascination for large boats

The America's Cup, the Route du Rhum, the Rouen Armada… with each departure of a major sailing race or a gathering of historic sailing ships, the public's fascination with large vessels is undeniable. This presents an opportunity to invite curious visitors aboard Art Explora and offer them a unique cultural experience , distinct from a traditional art center, according to the sponsor. In each port city visited, a dockside space will also host a multidisciplinary arts festival: concerts, dance performances, exhibition pavilions, film screenings, culinary experiences, workshops, and poetry readings, all guided by a single principle: to bring people together through culture, break down barriers, foster encounters between artists and the public, and encourage dialogue within a framework of cultural cooperation and the integration of contemporary creation.

Malta, Venice, Marseille, Rabat, Tangier, Malaga… a tour of the Mediterranean, tomorrow a tour of the world? “ 60% of the world’s population lives within 60 minutes of the coast. It is therefore essential to travel by sea so that culture can reach a wide audience ,” concludes Frédéric Jousset.