Part of the 2024 Cultural Olympiad, the Seasides [Bords de mer] exhibition features the work of five photographers living and working in the Bouches-du-Rhône area: Françoise Beauguion, Simon Bouillère, Julia Gat, Pierre Girardin and Maude Grubel. This exceptional display, on a 74-metrelong outdoor wall in full view of the public, questions our relationship with a maritime space shared by all, through sporting and leisure activities, family and friendships, as well as social and environmental concerns.

The exhibition, coproduced with the Archives et Bibliothèque Départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, is the result of a photographic commission—carried out by the Centre Photographique Marseille, with the support of the Bouches-du-Rhône Department and the DRAC PACA/ Ministry of Culture. It sparked a series of collaborations between the photographers and local communities: Users of the seaside in Marseille or the Calanque de Figuerolles in La Ciotat, members of disabled sports associations at the Base Nautique de Corbière or Pointe Rouge, and FC Martigues fan groups (UM21 and Maritima Supra) were invited to participate in one way or another in the creative process.

Admission included with the Rencontres d’Arles 2024 pass.