Song of Clay and Fire: Marc Alberghina's Cicadas in Biot
A unique exhibition by ceramist Marc Alberghina, dedicated to the cicada — a symbol of Provence — has opened at the Biot Museum. The artist created twenty special works for the 30th anniversary of the Friends of the Biot Museum association. His cicadas are not merely a tribute to tradition but profound reflections on life, time and the fragility of existence, embodied in clay and fire. The project “La Cigaloise” opened on 16 May and will run until 13 September 2026.
🏛 Musée de Biot: where history meets the contemporary
The Biot Museum of History and Ceramics, located in the heart of this picturesque town, has been a cultural hub of the region for more than 40 years. Founded in 1981 through the efforts of local enthusiasts Marcel Camatte, Michel and Marcelle Billiodot, it preserves Biot’s rich heritage.
“Our museum is a bridge between the past and the present,” says Catherine Sens-Meyer, the current president of the Friends of the Museum association.
Interesting fact: Marc Alberghina’s exhibition will run until 13 September 2026, becoming the highlight of the museum’s anniversary season. Just a few steps away is the refurbished Biot cultural centre — another venue for art that the town gained after renovation.
🦗 The cicada as a philosophical symbol: transformation under clay hands
For Alberghina the cicada is not just an insect but a profound symbol of life’s cyclical nature. The artist draws a parallel between the life of the cicada, which spends years underground before briefly emerging into the light, and human existence.
Main works in the “La Cigaloise” series:
- Decorative plates with relief cicadas
- Sculptural vases shaped like cicadas
- Installations combining several ceramic elements
🔥 The alchemy of firing: how a ceramic masterpiece is born
Alberghina uses a unique technique of multilayer firing — from 3 to 8 cycles at temperatures of 1060–1080 degrees. This allows him to create complex colour effects that have become his trademark.
“Clay is a living material,” the artist explains. “Each firing is like a new stage of life, when a piece either attains perfection or is destroyed.”
Technical detail: to control the temperature the master uses special pyrometric cones that “melt” when the required temperature is reached.
🖼 The centrepiece: a ceramic retable with a cicada
The central place of the exhibition is occupied by a monumental work that the author himself calls an “ex-voto” — an offering to the patron saint of potters. It is a complex composition including elements of Vallauris church architecture and symbolic depictions of cicadas.
What is particularly impressive:
- The use of oxide glazes to create the effect of flame
- The combination of traditional and contemporary techniques
- The philosophical depth of the visual narrative
🌿 Biot and Vallauris: a creative dialogue across the centuries
The exhibition not only showcases works of art but also emphasises the deep connection between two centres of ceramic mastery — Biot and Vallauris. It was in Vallauris that Pablo Picasso began his journey, inspiring whole generations of artists.
“For me this exhibition is a return to my roots,” admits Alberghina. “Vallauris gave me wings, and Biot — the ground beneath my feet.”
Tip for visitors: after the exhibition, be sure to stroll through old Biot — its streets preserve the atmosphere of a true Provençal town, and the ceramics themselves remain part of the great tradition of crafts and aromas of Provence.
🕰 Opening hours and practical information
The exhibition runs until 13 September 2026 with the following schedule:
- Wednesday — Sunday: from 11:00 to 18:00
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Ticket prices:
- Full ticket: €4
- Reduced: €2
Museum address: 9 rue Saint-Sébastien, Biot. Current details are on the exhibition page on the town website and on the museum website.
If you have a free evening after Biot, see what to do on summer evenings on the French Riviera.
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Photo: Tahir Xəlfəquliyev / Pexels