Created in 1974 by Jean Dieuzaide, the municipal gallery of the water tower is devoted to photography. The Toulouse site closed its doors on April 22 to undergo major renovation and expansion work. In the meantime, the fiftieth anniversary exhibitions will take place at the former poster museum.
In 50 years, the Toulouse gallery of the Château d’eau has seen some big names in the image world pass through. This anniversary is also an opportunity for the municipality to give it a makeover and expand it. However, the festivities have not been canceled.
It is one of the most emblematic places in the city of Toulouse. Posted at the foot of the Pont Neuf, on the left bank side, the Water Tower no longer looks as proud as it seems. Behind its eternal elegance lie the ravages of time. It is now necessary to remedy this.
“It has not undergone any work since its creation by Jean Dieuzaide in 1974”explains Pierre Esplugas-Labatut, deputy mayor in charge of museums. “However, we discovered cracks and the facades must be renovated. We are therefore going to take advantage of this to beautify the gardens, enlarge it and bring it up to accessibility standards.”
Since April 22, the Water Tower has closed its doors to the public to make room for workers. The work, which should last 1 year, is estimated at 4.2 million Euros: “It was one of Jean-Luc Moudenc’s campaign promises in 2020”specifies Pierre Esplugas-Labatut. “This work is subject to obtaining a favorable opinion from the Minister of the Environment because the site is classified and protected”.
The water tower was saved at the last minute from demolition in the early 1970s.
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© FREDERIC SCHEIBER / HANS LUCAS
The first shovels should take place at the end of 2024 for a definitive opening at the end of 2025. monumental construction site because to enlarge the exhibition space, an arch will be opened in one of the piers of the Pont Neuf to install offices. This will ultimately allow us to gain 30% of exhibition space.
However, there is no question of skipping the 50th anniversary celebrations. To continue cultural activity, the town hall played the game of musical chairs: “The exhibitions at the Château d’eau will take place at the MATOU, the poster museum, which itself has moved to the Paul Dupuy museum”explains Pierre Esplugas-Labatut.
The exhibition dedicated to Raymond Depardon in 2011 at the Château d’eau gallery in Toulouse.
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© GREGORY DZIEDZIC / HANS LUCAS
The highlight of this fiftieth anniversary will take place during the MAP photo festival from September 13, 2024: “We are going to host an exhibition of photos by Nikos Aliagas and there will also be a major retrospective of the work of Robert Doisneau” on the La Grave site”says the elected official.
Finally, the Château and photography will make their debut at the Abattoirs in the fall. The contemporary art museum is organizing an event from October 10, 2024: a look at the collections of the slaughterhouses and those of the Water Tower.
