La Mécanique Générale, a new exhibition space at LUMA Arles opens to the public July 4, 2016. This represents the second building Selldorf Architects has renovated and expanded for the LUMA Foundation at the Parc des Ateliers in Arles, France, following the opening last year of Les Forges. Originally built as the repair shop for SNCF railcars, Mécanique Générale required almost a total rebuild to transform it to an exhibition space. The original industrial language of steel columns and simple concrete floors provide a framework for the display of a wide range of artistic expression from photography, video, performance, painting or 3D objects. To facilitate the display of particularly large works in the 48,000 sf building, a modern addition provides a 65’ column-free span in the historic space. The new addition’s concrete façade and zinc roof creates a resonant contrast with the historic structure’s refurbished stucco façade and new tile roof. The entire building is top-lit with linear skylights running north/south which provide diffused light throughout the space.

The inaugural exhibition SYSTEMATICALLY OPEN? New Forms for Contemporary Image Production, explores new structures for the presentation of the photographic image. The exhibition opens July 4^th through September 25^th.