step inside pierre yovanovitch's reimagined scenography of villa noailles in hyères

a new scenography by Pierre Yovanovitch for Villa Noailles

French interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch presents a new scenography for the Villa Noailles in France, marking its centennial anniversary. Named ‘Les Nuits d’Été,’ this site-specific project offers a vibrant reimagining of the original summer residence belonging to the renowned art patrons and founders of Villa Noailles, Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles, who built the property a century ago. The scenography will be showcased at Villa Noailles from June 23, 2023, to January 14, 2024, coinciding with the international Design Parade Hyères festival.

In a tribute to the significant impact of the couple on the 20th-century art scene, with an emphasis on the spirit of Madame de Noailles, Yovanovitch integrates elements from the de Noailles archives and collaborates with contemporary artists to create a series of immersive, narrative-based vignettes. This journey leads visitors through each room, offering glimpses into the daily lives of the owners of the Center.

all images © Paolo Abate

‘I can’t think of a more apt way to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Villa Noailles with a scenographic commemoration of the lives of its’ founders, Charles and Marie-Laure,’ states the artist. ‘Investing personally as well as monetarily, Marie-Laure de Noailles was the consummate patron, standing with modest grace behind artists such as Cocteau, Dalí, Ernst, and Picasso, whom she faithfully followed throughout their careers, unimpeded by the desire to cast her own shadow into posterity.Through reimagining her and Charles’s original home, and creating this imaginary design dialogue with them, we attempt to bring their creative influences to life, taking visitors behind the scenes of this visionary couple.’

Pierre Yovanovitch transformed the 200 sqm space into carefully staged scenes, taking visitors through various rooms such as the entryway, reading room, dining room, Marie-Laure’s boudoir, Charles’s office, salon, dressing room, and bedroom. Each room features a blend of contemporary artworks and early 20th-century decorative designs and art pieces sourced from the couple’s personal collection and original archival materials like letters, plans, photographs, and films. Curated by Pierre Yovanovitch and Éléa Legangneux, the collection includes works by renowned artists such as Miquel Barcelo, Francesco Clemente, César, Bernard Buffet, Alicja Kwade, Josef Albers, Matthieu Cossé, and Xie Lei, among others.

the 200 sqm residential space is divided into staged scenes

unfolding a story about the homeowner’s lives

The scenography incorporates significant historical pieces such as furniture by Pierre Chareau, Gilbert Poillerat, and Sege Roche, as well as photography portraits of Marie-Laure de Noailles captured by the renowned Man Ray. Additionally, sculptural artworks by Alberto Giacometti are featured. Pierre Yovanovitch also commissioned a range of site-specific works for the exhibition, including a portrait of Marie-Laure by Giulia Andreani, an artistic intervention in the viscountess’s bedroom by Alexandre Rochegaussen, and two artworks by Porky Hefer.

The scenography not only pays tribute to the couple’s passion for modern design and their connections with influential Surrealist figures like André Breton, Louis Aragon, Cecil Beaton, and André Gide, but also honors the architectural heritage of the property known as ‘Clos Saint-Bernard.’ Drawing inspiration from his expertise in revitalizing historical spaces, including his own Provençal property — Chateau de Fabregues — Pierre Yovanovitch seamlessly blends vintage design elements and contemporary art to narrate the story of the homeowners’ lives.

the project unveils the artistic Journey of Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles

In addition to Pierre Yovanovitch’s set design, Villa Noailles has organized activities to further bring the scenography to life. These include a collaboration with Toulon Opera for a musical creation (September 16-18), a showcase of Marie-Laure de Noailles’ wardrobe by both emerging and renowned fashion designers (October 12 – January 14, 2024), exhibitions featuring artwork by Ronan Bouroullec in Toulon and a tribute to Andrée Putman in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, as well as the internationally acclaimed Design Parade Hyères festival (June 23-25) and the fashion, photography, and accessories festival (October 12-15). These events are overseen by Jean-Pierre Blanc, the director of Villa Noailles, and Pascale Mussard, the Center’s president.