Art World
The unique Modernist building looks out over the rolling hills and coastal views of Mougins.
Unit London, a contemporary art gallery, has announced the launch of a new artist residency based in a unique house designed by the French architect Jacques Couëlle near Mougins in the South of France in 1964. Known as Dragon Hill, the residency will welcome both artists and writers, and is organized in partnership with ArtReview. The first cohort moves into Dragon Hill in March 2024.
The program, which lasts six weeks, provides artists with fully-equipped studios and the chance to exhibit their new work as part of an annual summer exhibition at the nearby historic castle of Château de Castellaras. The artists will also be joined by six arts writers each year, chosen by the editorial team at ArtReview, who will also receive mentorship and the chance to be published on the magazine’s website.
Jacques Couëlle in around 1978. Photo: Slim Aarons via Getty Images.
The house boasts impressive views over the rolling hills of the Alpes-Maritimes and lies close to Antibes Bay and the charming old town of Mouans. It was the first of of five “landscape houses” built by Couëlle in the region during the 1960s, and exemplifies his interest in organic architecture that is greatly influenced by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It is noticeable for its curved design, which broke with the more angular Modernist styles of the time, and better complimented the stunning natural landscapes.
The area of Mougins was a favorite among many major Modernist artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Yves Klein, as well as the renowned art dealer Leo Castelli. Today, it is near several art institutions, including Fondation Maeght, L’Espace de l’Art Concret, and the Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins (MACM) soon to reopen as the Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins (FAMM).
“In our 10 years of working closely with Modern artists, it’s been hard to ignore the ever-increasing conflict between the artists’ natural need for freedom—to think, create and experiment—and the acute pressures and demands of the contemporary art market,” said Unit’s co-founder Joe Kennedy. “Dragon Hill is a sanctuary—a truly magical site where artists can temporarily escape the art world and be inspired by the free-spirit of an eccentric and important creative mind. Couëlle was inspired by his close, collaborative friendships with other artists and writers like Dali, Picasso and Prevert.”
Check out more images of Couëlle’s Dragon Hill below.
Dragon Hill, Castellaras Le Neuf by French architect Jacques Couëlle in the south of France. Image courtesy of Unit Gallery.
Dragon Hill, Castellaras Le Neuf by French architect Jacques Couëlle in the south of France. Image courtesy of Unit Gallery.
Dragon Hill, Castellaras Le Neuf by French architect Jacques Couëlle in the south of France. Image courtesy of Unit Gallery.
Bedroom at Dragon Hill, Castellaras Le Neuf by French architect Jacques Couëlle in the south of France. Image courtesy of Unit Gallery.
Dragon Hill, Castellaras Le Neuf by French architect Jacques Couëlle in the south of France. Image courtesy of Unit Gallery.
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