As the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, the capital continues to transform into a sanctuary for sport. Since June 1, 14 artistic posters, produced as part of the Cultural Olympiad by seven artists, have been exhibited on the banks of the Seine. Representing the values of the Games, they will tour France in a few months.
Paris is adorning itself with its summer clothes at the beginning of June. The calendar may say that spring is not over, but the weather is already summery. The sun is shining, the thermometer is flirting with 27°C and Parisians are taking advantage of it.
On the Quai de la Mégisserie, in the heart of the capital, between the Pont Neuf and the Pont au Change, traffic is heavy of course. We are in Paris in the middle of the afternoon, let’s not forget that.
But a few meters below, the atmosphere is more calm on the Georges-Pompidou way. the driveway, on the banks of the Seine, is reserved for pedestrians and non-motorized two-wheelers. With the good weather and the stars parading on the river, the postcard is a success.
Joggers and cyclists are out. There are also many walkers. More unusual: this woman in a wedding dress riding around on a skateboard, or this doggie well settled between the shins of her master on a scooter.
It is this place that was chosen by theCultural Olympiada multidisciplinary artistic program, to present his new work for the Olympic and Paralympic Games planned for Paris in a little over a year. On the walls, artistic posters were installed on June 1, as part of the Parisian Nuit Blanche, which begins on June 3.
Seven artists at work
Seven artists were invited to each produce an Olympic poster and a Paralympic poster. Their works (visible at the end of the article) must honor values dear to the Paris 2024 project, which combines sport and art: inclusivenessparity, celebration and innovation.
Everyone put their own personal touch on it. The illustrator Fanny Michaëlis depicted female athletes in action, while the painter Gilles Elie opted for an abstract style, made of lines leaving room for the imagination. Clotilde Jiménez, jack-of-all-trades, mixed paint and collage to represent her swimmers and sprinters.
And then there is the signature of Stéphanie Lacombe, who appealed to a potential future Olympic champion and an Olympic multi-medallist. For her Olympic poster, the photographer took a shot of Camille “Kami” Regneault, a French figure in the breakdancing, a sport that will be practiced for the first time at the Games in 2024 ; she appears after practice, pensive, as if she were immersed in her performance.
On the Paralympic poster, we find Cyril Moré, seven-time medalist (including five times gold) at the Games in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens in wheelchair fencing; he is photographed in a room, surrounded by his equipment, observing his sword with a deep gaze.
” The Games make my life more dynamic and festive »
Reached by RFI, Cyril Moré said to himself “ happy to honor (my) sport “. ” Opportunities are rare, and this one was too good to miss “, confides the one who left the competition in 2015. He no longer crosses swords and no longer hurtles the slopes – he also took part in the Sochi Winter Games in 2014 in para alpine skiing –, but the sport and the Games never really left him. Very involved in Paris 2024, he also advises Adrien Turkawka, French hopeful in wheelchair fencing. ” I’m still really into the Games. I am very happy to have this guiding thread in my life. It makes it more dynamic and festive “, he lets go.
And even with all his experience of the Games, Cyril Moré is still learning, as with this photo shoot: “ I discover new aspects every day. This time it’s the Cultural Olympiad. It’s super strong in symbolism. »
Stéphanie Lacombe’s idea was to show an athlete before the competition and an athlete after the competition, with Cyril Moré in the leading role: ” It was a complicated equation. There is nothing obvious when we state all this as a starting point. I had to equip myself, take my equipment, find sensations, especially those moments of concentration when you are a little lost in thought. »
” We had to find a little solitude, a little tension, perhaps apprehension at the imminence of something huge that we want, but which is also scary. I believe that every competitor has a bit of this duality in their minds, hearts and guts before entering the arena. “, Continues the model of a day.
► To listen also: Paralympic Games 2024: “The challenge, gain years of quality of life for millions of people”
” Paris 2024 will make history »
The result is now on the walls of the City of Light, facing the Seine. His verdict? ” I love Kamy’s photo. Me, I don’t like to see myself! I’m going to need sincere and maybe equally caring people to tell me that it works! he laughs.
For the five-time Olympic champion, the Paris Games are progressing well, on time “, And this ” despite some adventures that we had not imagined such as the pandemic, the securitythe war, inflation… “. ” However, I have the impression that this super solid project is progressing well and will mark the history of the Games. “, he firmly believes.
” Every week a new brick is laid “says Cyril Moré. The artistic posters of Paris 2024 form one more. The sequel is coming very soon. ” We’re already in it, it’s great “, he concludes.
scope.counterText
scope.legend
scope.counterText
scope.legend
© scope.credits