Lascaux Revealed
ECSITE-AC
Travelling Exhibitions session
Thursday 3rd June,
DASA’s Red Room
Dr Olivier RETOUT
Project Director
General Council of Dordogne, Périgueux
© CG-Dordogne-O.Retout
A unique world heritage on tour
“Few human records survive for long, the 16,000-year- old
Paleolithic cave paintings at Lascaux, France, being one exception”.
(The Economist, September 5th 2009, page 10 )
Lascaux Revealed
Discovered in 1940 by a dog called « Robot » the Lascaux Paleolithic cave
(Montignac, France), showing fabulous animal paintings dated from 17 000 years
BP is closed to the public since 1963.
Lascaux « II », the replica built just aside that welcomes 300 000 visitors a year
will also close and the UNESCO classified site will become an unacessible
sanctuary.
The 17 years old Marcel Ravidat (center) the inventor of Lascaux
Lascaux Revealed
Lascaux III : 5 real size replicas realised with absolute accuracy
 including all micro-relief of the stone
 using the same natural pigment for painting
 the same rock tools for engraving
 unique technology called « voile de pierre »
A source of emotions & scientific knowledge
 Anthropology, prehistory, archaeology, palaeontology, zoology, ecology,
geology, chemistry, laser telemetry, physico-chemistry, bacteriology,
material sciences, socio-economic, aesthetic, philosophy and art…
A delicate atmosphere for the contemplation the Oldest Masterpieces of
Art
Emotions when you see on a blank wall, live, the animals appearing
slowy thanks to a video showing how modern artists have finely
reproduced the original paintings.
Attractive for a large audience
The replicas are presented in a high quality scenography integrating
Original 3D visualisations of Lascaux and archeologic films,
Interactive exhibits on various topics of contextualisation of the replicas
Painting workshops for kids and scholars
Cro-magnon reproductions and natural life conditions
An audio-guide allowing a quiet observation of the paintings
What was Cro-Magnon’s motivation ?
 How they did it, how animals and mysterious signs are structured
 In which ecological and social conditions the painted caves appear
 How we analyse this heritage with modern sciences
 Visitors match their documented feelings with a huge variety of
scientific interpretations !
5 Keys for a blockbuster
A rich scientific content
An attractive story
A show valuable for international audiences
A suitable format for professional venues
A unique world heritage
Scientific travelling exhibition on parietal
Art
© Daynes – Reproduction of prehistoric Men
Lascaux Revealed
We are looking for partners, co-producers, designers,
scenographs, … and venues to present the exhibition in
2012 !
Lascaux Revealed