| Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre | |
|---|---|
 Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Centre culturel Tjibaou, Rue des accords de Matignon, Tina B.P. 378 98845, Nouméa Cedex, Nouméa, New Caledonia |
| Coordinates | 22°15′23.3″S 166°28′54.9″E / 22.256472°S 166.481917°E |
| Inaugurated | May 1998 |
| Owner | Government of New Caledonia |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Renzo Piano |
| Website | |
| http://www.adck.nc/ | |
The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre (French: Centre culturel Tjibaou), on the narrow Tinu Peninsula, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) northeast of the historic centre of Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, celebrates the vernacular Kanak culture, the indigenous culture of New Caledonia, amidst much political controversy over the independent status sought by some Kanaks from French rule. It opened in June 1998 and was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and named after Jean-Marie Tjibaou, the leader of the independence movement who was assassinated in 1989 and had a vision of establishing a cultural centre which blended the linguistic and artistic heritage of the Kanak people.[1][2]
The Kanak building traditions and the resources of modern international architecture were blended by Piano. The formal curved axial layout, 250 metres (820 ft) long on the top of the ridge, contains ten large conical cases or pavilions (all of different dimensions) patterned on the traditional Kanak Grand Hut design. The building is surrounded by landscaping, which is also inspired by traditional Kanak design elements.[2][3][4] Marie-Claude Tjibaou, widow of Jean Marie Tjibaou and current leader of the Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture (ADCK), observed: "We, the Kanaks, see it as a culmination of a long struggle for the recognition of our identity; on the French Government's part it is a powerful gesture of restitution."[2]
- ^ Lal, Brij V.; Fortune, Kate (2000). The Pacific Islands: an encyclopedia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 546. ISBN 978-0-8248-2265-1. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- ^ a b c Corciega, Rizalyn. "Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre" (PDF). Environmental Building Design Sustainable Building Design Case Study. architecture.uwaterloo.ca/. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- ^ Irwin, Sean. "Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre Nouméa, New Caledonia" (PDF). architecture.uwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- ^ Murphy, Bernice. "Centre Culturel Tjibaou" (PDF). epress.anu.edu.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2011.