Andy Warhol Celebrates a Society in Motion

On February 8, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Andy Warhol exhibition, François de Canson, vice-president of the Région declared: "Long live art, long live culture and long live the Région Sud! What a pride to inaugurate an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Andy Warhol, an iconic figure of pop art and a visionary artist of the 20th century!" "The choice of Hyères to host this event is no coincidence. After honoring Braque, Man Ray, and Miró, and before soon welcoming the works of Dufy, the Région once again asserts its status as a major hub for art and culture. If we are lucky enough to admire these masterful works, it is thanks to an exemplary cooperation between the Musée de La Banque à Hyères and the Musée Andy Warhol de Medzilaborce, in Slovakia," insisted the regional official.

STRONG RELATIONS

Indeed, it is the fruit of a dialogue initiated in 2019 between the Région de Prešov and the Région Sud, driven by president Renaud Muselier. This cultural cooperation is part of a broader partnership between the two regions, based on shared values of openness, exchange, and sustainable development. Since the signing of a letter of intent in 2019 during Méditerranée du Futur, the Région de Prešov and the Région Sud have built strong and fruitful relations, nurtured by regular meetings and a shared desire to act together. In February 2024, the official visit of Jean-Pierre Colin to Prešov made it possible to deepen this collaboration in strategic areas: water management, sustainable tourism, protection of natural parks, economy, and culture. François de Canson continued: "Building on this progress, our two regions have finalized a cooperation agreement, voted on last October, which will be officially signed during the next edition of Méditerranée du Futur in June 2025 in Nice. This agreement marks a new stage in our common desire to build a more supportive, more ambitious, and more innovative future. It also bears witness to the leading role of the Région Sud on the European stage, where we commit, alongside our partners, to defending in particular a living, accessible, and inspiring culture."

CULTURAL POLICY

From an artistic point of view, Andy Warhol captured the essence of an era, transforming everyday life into an explosion of colors and emotions. Through his art, he celebrates a society in motion, where happiness is constantly reinvented. "This is also the ambition of the Région Sud. It is a territory that shines, innovates, attracts, and where everyone can thrive. In the Région Sud, we believe that culture is a universal right. It must flow through all our territories and reach all generations. This is why, in 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to the arts in all their forms and are investing nearly 62 million euros to strengthen the cultural offering across our entire territory. This figure reflects a clear ambition: to make culture the driving force of our society, a lever for connection and progress. We owe this dynamism to the vision and commitment of the Région Sud, but also to the work of passionate and committed individuals," recalled the vice-president of the Région. "Today, we celebrate not only an artist and his work, but also the capacity of culture to bring people together, to inspire, and to make our territory shine far beyond our borders. So, enjoy this exhibition, let yourself be carried away by the world of Andy Warhol, and remember his words: 'Art is what you can get away with'! This bold vision resonates with our cultural policy in the Région Sud. Because here, we dare, we innovate, we invest so that culture is a lever for development, attractiveness, and a symbol of our identity. Because we believe in a territory that shines through its creativity and openness, we will continue to make art and culture a priority, for today and for tomorrow," promised François de Canson.

La Banque Musée des Cultures et du Paysage Until June 8 14 av. Joseph Clotis – Hyères.