Competition For The Construction Of An Institute Of Islamic Cultures - Paris

Exhibition and from 4th of March 2009 Pavillon de l'Arsenal, Paris This exhibition presents the results of a competition for the construction of an Institute of Islamic Cultures in the 18th district of Paris, organised by Paris City Hall’s Cultural Affairs Department and National Heritage and Architecture Department. Models, drawings, plans and computer-generated images will help visitors discover the ambitious projects of five teams of invited architects: ADAM YEDID, Mandatory Architect and TERRENEUVE Architects ; LACATON & VASSAL Architects ; Mikou Design Studio ; Nemesi Studio, and the Ateliers LION Architectes Urbanistes, winners of the competition. Presenting the Institute of Islamic Cultures In anticipation of the grand opening in 2012 of the Institute of Islamic Cultures, a cultural centre whose vocation is to represent the multiplicity of Islamic cultures, a prefigurative centre was opened on October 7, 2006 at 19–23 rue Léon, 75018, in buildings that formerly housed a nursery school. This prefigurative centre presents primarily exhibitions of contemporary art from Islamic countries, film cycles (fiction and documentary), discussions around new publications, series of thematic conferences, etc. A centre for culture and training, it encourages exchange while developing and diffusing knowledge of Muslim cultures. A highly original establishment, the Institute of Islamic Cultures will combine a religious dimension - managed by a totally private ad hoc association - and a cultural and scientific dimension, the initiative of Paris City Hall. Inspired by the finest achievements of the golden age of Islam presented in a secular and modern context, the Institute of Islamic Cultures has resolutely chosen a popular, lively and open approach. It aims to be the pride of its district, bringing solutions to neighbourhood tensions and contributing to Paris’s international charisma. Situated on two separate sites of 970m2 and 535m2 respectively, at 55 rue Polonceau and 56 rue Stephenson, the Institute of Islamic Cultures will enjoy a total surface area of app. 4500m2. What was originally a constraint has turned into a remarkable feature. Larger, nearer and within view of Boulevard Barbès, the Polonceau site will offer a range of activities that appeal to a wider public; whereas the other site, situated in a more restricted urban context and a more residential area, will provide activities in scale with its surroundings. Both locations will offer cultural and religious activities managed by two distinct and separate organisations. Most of the construction will be completed under the responsibility of Paris City Hall, which plans to invest approximately 20 million Euros. It will house multi-disciplinary cultural programmes and research designed to complement existing facilities and adapted to the urban environment. Shows will be performed; exhibitions will be mounted; contemporary creation will receive support. This space of cultural diffusion will be open to forms of artistic expression with a link to Islam, welcoming expositions, film cycles, plays and concerts. In this respect, the spirit of its organisation is reminiscent of the Arab World Institute; but the difference is apparent in the name of the new institute, which aims to represent a cultural and not an ethnic or religious identity. Mediation and amateur activities will not be neglected. Language lessons (Arabic, Persian, Wolof…); workshops (calligraphy, singing, cooking…) and conferences of the ‘popular university’ type will be organised. Documentation on international events may be consulted. As for the scientific dimension, it will consist of welcoming researchers in the context of specific projects as well as colloquiums, conferences and debates; the development of an editorial strategy and, naturally, the assembly and conservation of archives, especially those of Parisian associations who have links with Muslim cultures. By adapting its activities to appeal to different categories of the public - believers or those interested by the cultural dimensions, local and nationwide - the ICI will also arouse curiosity and encourage further investigation in a spirit of harmony between peoples. In the long term, the Institute of Islamic Cultures (i.e. its cultural and scientific facets) could become a foundation, aiming to unite the skills and resources necessary to complete the project’s success. One part of the project, a minority part, will be built by a religious association using entirely private funds. In order to respect both the letter and the spirit of the French law of separation of Church and State, the real estate promotion will be realised as a sale for future completion. Moreover, to receive the many faithful practitioners in the quarter fittingly, and reduce the congestion on the public highway so strongly criticised today, polyvalent areas may be rented by the religious association to the cultural. The Actors: The Scientific Committee To assure the success of the ICI project, the Paris City Hall has established a scientific committee: it is made up of qualified personalities, working directly or indirectly in the domain of Islam in France. It includes Islamologists, cultural programmers, those in charge of associations and representatives of the residents of the Goutte d'Or quarter, as well as sociologists, political analysts, historians and philosophers who have shown their awareness of issues involving Islam. For the moment, its role is above all to establish, legally and in concrete terms, how the future Institute will function. It is presided by a State councillor, Olivier Rousselle, former director general of Fasild (a fund to actively support integration and the fight against discrimination). The Pilot Committee The pilot committee is the second organisation and decisional structure. It includes directors from each department of the City Hall which has a link with the project, as well as deputies to the Mayor of Paris who are also involved in the project. The pilot committee follows the evolution of the project closely and assures that everything is going according to plan. Its members are deciders, capable of providing arbitration to assure the progress of the project. They make schedules, analyse reports of the scientific committee’s reflections and take decisions. The project manager is a member. The pilot committee is at the centre of decision-making, and maintains a direct link with the departments of the City Hall, the advisory committees and the executors of the project. The Prefiguration Centre The direction of the prefiguration centre of the Institute of Islamic Cultures is entrusted to Véronique RIEFFEL. More information about the Institute of Islamic Cultures is available at : http://www.paris.fr