World’s Largest Floating Museum Set to Sail: How ArtExplorer Catamaran Will Reach 2,000 Visitors Daily

Tejal Somvanshi

The ArtExplorer, a 47-meter-long catamaran, is set to become the world's first floating museum, offering a novel approach to cultural engagement and accessibility.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

Designed by architects Axel de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier, this innovative vessel stands 55 meters high and can welcome up to 2,000 visitors daily.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

At the heart of this floating museum is an immersive exhibition created in collaboration with the Musée du Louvre, titled "Présentes," which explores the role and representation of female figures in Mediterranean culture.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

The ArtExplorer expands beyond visual arts, featuring a unique "Sound Odyssey" developed in partnership with Ircam, enabling visitors to experience the auditory sensations of the Mediterranean.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

Frédéric Jousset, the visionary behind the Art Explora foundation, describes the project as a way to transform maritime travel into a vehicle for cultural dissemination.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

Powered by twin Caterpillar C7 diesel engines and e-power, the catamaran can reach a top speed of 10 knots and is equipped with 700 square feet of solar panels generating 12 kW of energy.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

Inside, the vessel includes a 16-meter-long high-resolution display, which can be transformed into an art gallery, workshop, or conference area as needed.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

The inaugural exhibition, curated by Nomi Daucé from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, will explore the representation of women in Mediterranean art across the ages.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

By bringing masterpieces to coastal communities, the ArtExplorer aims to democratise the art experience, making it accessible to those who may not have the opportunity to visit a traditional museum.

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

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