Rue Sophie Taeuber Arp

In 1926, a spark of artistic innovation ignited in Strasbourg. The city entrusted Sophie Taeuber-Arp, a remarkable artist, with a grand project: reimagining the interior of the Aubette. This building, located on Place Kléber, held a rich history. It was initially a military structure designed by architect Jacques-François Blondel in 1765, and the name “Aubette” came from the changing of the guards at dawn. Rue Sophie Taeuber Arp, a pedestrian passage, leads to this iconic building. This street, named after the artist in 1989, honors her connection to the Aubette. The street itself stands on the site of former butcher shops dating back to 1621. These shops were replaced in 1838 by a metal-framed market hall with a neoclassical facade. Traces of this history remain in the name “Kleine Metzig” for the nearby building constructed in 1900. Sophie Taeuber-Arp, along with her husband Jean Arp and Theo van Doesburg, embarked on transforming the Aubette into a modern entertainment complex. The trio envisioned a gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art. The Aubette housed a cinema-dance hall, a foyer-bar, and a festive hall, each designed with the artists’ distinctive styles. Taeuber-Arp’s designs often featured geometric shapes and abstract figures. She focused on the foyer-bar and festive hall, creating dynamic and engaging spaces. Sadly, the public’s initial reaction to the Aubette’s modern design was disapproval. Over time, the original designs were covered, obscuring the artists’ vision. However, in the 1960s, a movement began to restore the Aubette’s avant-garde glory. This restoration, based on period photographs and sketches, brought the Cinu00e9-bal back to life in 1994. Further efforts revived the first floor’s decor, including the festive hall, staircase, and foyer-bar. Today, visitors to the Rue Sophie Taeuber Arp can appreciate the street’s link to the revitalized Aubette. They can walk in the footsteps of a pioneering artist, whose vision transformed a historic building into a vibrant celebration of modern art.