A former industrial facility in Carcassonne, France, has been transformed into a vibrant contemporary art center called the Hangar Blanc (White Hangar). The space officially opened with an inaugural exhibition focusing on the theme of celebration, co-produced with the Museum of Modern Art in Lille. This new cultural venue combines exhibitions, performances, and artist residencies while preserving the industrial character of its original structure.
The renovation project was spearheaded by the private company Solelhar, whose president Adalaïs Choy-Descamps explained the vision behind the transformation. "We wanted to preserve the soul of this place. That's why it's called the hangar – it keeps its industrial identity. And white, because we repainted everything white. It's an aesthetic that we call the 'white cube' in museography. It offers a blank canvas for different forms of expression," she said.
To inaugurate the space, Iranian artist Yasra Moitahedi presented a large fountain sculpture that embodies the spirit of renewal and transformation. She describes her creation as "a landscape, a somewhat post-apocalyptic body. It's as if everything was carbonized, disappeared. And from the ashes, like a phoenix, there is still a spirit that begins to rise again." This powerful piece reflects the engaged artistic vision that the Hangar Blanc aims to promote.
The opening exhibition, co-produced with the Museum of Modern Art in Lille, features approximately fifty works arranged along an immersive pathway. Exhibition curator Grégoire Prangé detailed the journey visitors experience: "We start with the Dunkirk carnival, the Caribbean carnival in Guadeloupe, then we drift towards night spaces, clubs, metamorphosis and transformation, dance. And we arrive at this figure of the chimera, a hybrid figure that comes from the world of night."
The Hangar Blanc represents the second space dedicated to contemporary art to establish itself in Carcassonne. Beyond exhibitions, the venue plans to host conferences and aspires to become a vibrant hub centered around creative expression. Future plans include artist residencies, coworking spaces, and even a restaurant facility.
The ultimate goal is to bring contemporary art to life in the heart of the city and make the white factory accessible to all audiences. By maintaining the industrial spirit of the original structure while creating a pristine gallery environment, the Hangar Blanc demonstrates how historic industrial sites can be successfully repurposed for cultural activities while honoring their heritage.
