A 46M CATAMARAN

Designing a catamaran capable of welcoming 2,000 people on board per day is an extremely ambitious challenge. This trail-blazing architectural and naval project is headed up by Axel de Beaufort and architect Guillaume Verdier, a specialist in monohulls, backed by a group of naval architects and designers.

Currently undergoing completion in the Admiral Yachts shipyards in Italy, the world’s largest catamaran (46.5 m long/55 m tall) brings together innovative materials, craftsmen and expertise of sheer excellence. A real work of art, designed as a museum afloat, the yacht will fly the French flag and meet stringent environmental and technological criterias. A sailing catamaran, the ARTEXPLORER museum boat will be fitted with solar panels to cover part of its energy requirements.

AMBASSADOR FOR THE ARTS AND PEDAGOGY

On its voyage around the Mediterranean scheduled from autumn 2023 to 2025, ARTEXPLORER will make roughly 20 ports-of-call in 15 different countries, bringing together artists, curators, cultural and educational organisations, to present in close partnership a new, present-day vision of the Mediterranean coast. Artists-in-residence will be welcomed on board this impressive catamaran to meet up with scientists, thinkers and curators in each region.

On the upper deck, visitors will be invited to enjoy an immersive, sensory experience, lounging in comfort on sun loungers. This physical and emotional experience will offer a unique discovery of the Mediterranean through new soundscapes, real, imaginary, and even a sonic Odyssey. The programme designed for the ARTEXPLORER catamaran is accompanied on the quayside by pavilions of 3,000 sqm designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, dedicated to multi-disciplinary exhibitions, and an agora stage for performances, lectures, screenings and concerts.

A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY FESTIVAL

From October 12th to 15th, 2023, this fantastic journey will begin in Marseille, the cradle of the history of ‘‘Mare Nostrum’’ from the Age of Antiquity to the present day. On the programme, a wide diversity of artistic projects will include dance, music, lectures, films, big concerts, culinary performances, and screenings of artists’ films.

Both intuitive and accessible for all kinds of audiences and all levels of knowledge, an exhibition entitled ‘‘Sous l’Azur’’ will present, in each town it visits, a special object from patrimonial collections, revealing the special relationship built between the inhabitants and their sea. Fully committed to adhere to the best sustainable practices, both social and environmental, in its programme but also in the organization of its events, ArtExplora is open to all and entirely free.

AN ECO-RESPONSIBLE PROJECT

The Art Explora festival is a cultural festival offering all audiences unique artistic and cultural experiences. Backed by UNESCO, the project aims to set up a dialogue on a vast scale, focusing on each region’s current issues such as education, gender equality, inter-cultural dialogue, protection of the environment, and cultural heritage. At each port-of-call, a local curator will organise a unique and varied cultural programme.