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an oxygen-free storage to eliminate dust particles and insects. buildings possesses the characteristic austerity of Grand SièEach item is inventoried, photographed and labelled, and cle monuments, yet inside it is very bright and full of light. all the information regarding its history is recorded in the The reception area is on the ground floor, together with the databank (date of creation, atelier of origin, production in shop, the cloakroom, the restaurant and a 100-seat auditowhich it was used, role of the actor wearing it, state of rium. The entire first floor (in origin, where the officers and conservation...). In this way, a detailed identity card is cresoldiers were housed) is dedicated to the exhibitions: eight ated for each costume. After the initial halls with big windows, two multi-purcleaning phase, the costumes are painspose rooms and the large Salle du Gril, takingly reconditioned and then wrapped where theatrical scenery can be mounted in pH-neutral silk. The garments are then thanks to the double-height ceiling. The hung on padded coat hangers and moddocumentation centre on the second floor elled into their original form. To preserve encompasses the history of performing arts them, they are kept at a constant temperand stage professions, with particular referature of 18° C, with relative humidity at ence to costumes and fashion. It is open not 50%. The most delicate items are stored only to professionals but also to the general horizontally in special drawers. Once they public, with a vast selection of textbooks, become part of the CNCS collections, illustrations, research dossiers and multicostumes are considered works of art and medial documents. On top, young memthey are never worn again. Instead, they bers of the public are offered a package are treated with the same care that is lavwhich includes guided tours, workshops ished on precious museum artefacts. and performances staged in cooperation After World War II, the complex was with schools, recreational centres, technical NUREYEV DANCES ALONE occupied by the Gendarmerie, which left institutes and universities. The main body Since October 2013 the Centre it in 1980 because the buildings were to is flanked by the “Réserves”, the Centre’s hosts a permanent collection be demolished. They were saved at the safe deposit designed by Jean-Michel dedicated to Rudolf Nureyev (above), last minute in 1984, when the site was Wilmotte: it is a rectangular concrete donated by the Nureyev declared a historical monument. After building protected by a steel mesh that Foundation: one hundred objects much research, the French authorities resembles a coat of mail. Covering a surbelonging to the great dancer which asked the town of Moulins to host the face of 1,730 square metres, the structure represent his artistic Centre Nationale du Costume de Scène. includes a work area on the ground floor life and his personal tastes. The main building is also the oldest one. (arrival and departure of costumes, packCentre national du costume de scène Its proportions are breathtakingly elegant, ing, treatment, quarantine room and modQuartier Villars, Route de Montilly, and it develops around three monumental elling on mannequins), while the costumes Moulins; www.cncs.fr staircases. From the outside, the group of are stored on the three floors above. Before they are modelled and stored, the costumes are quarantined in an oxygen-free storage in the Réserves (top left) to remove dust particles and insects. Then they are inventoried and reconditioned, and wrapped in pH-neutral silk (right).
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