Curious Children and Cinemas in Cannes
Workday: 22/05/2025
After setting up the exhibition the day before, Thursday was when the Château truly came to life. The FAPE exhibition welcomed waves of local school children, finally giving them the chance to see and interact with the space they had helped create. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, curiosity, and an incredible energy that made all the preparation worth it. With visitors ranging from three to twelve years old, it was a lesson in adaptability, communication, and patience for everyone involved a living example of how design is not just about aesthetics, but about people.
It was a heartwarming and humbling experience to engage with the children on such a personal level. The younger ones reached out to hold my hand, walking through the space with wide eyes and wonder, while the older ones sparked thoughtful conversations about their favourite pieces. It was a practice in empathy learning how to communicate across ages, languages, and attention spans, all while navigating a multilingual environment that allowed me to strengthen my French in real time. These moments reminded me how design, at its core, is about connection and accessibility and how every detail matters in shaping someone’s experience.
Later that afternoon, I switched gears from exhibitions to a long-term design decision that’s been in development for months: selecting the colour and material for a new set of chairs that will be placed throughout the Château. It was a surprisingly complex task the chairs needed to suit a variety of historical and contemporary spaces while feeling fresh, timeless, and welcoming. After thoughtful discussion and exploration, we landed on a beautiful terracotta pink paired with a durable vinyl, a choice that felt both elegant and practical. It was a small but significant design decision, one that reflects how even subtle details contribute to the character and comfort of a space.
The day ended with a completely different kind of creative immersion: an unforgettable evening with the Casa Cine residency group at the Cinéma de la Plage in Cannes. Sitting under the stars, with the sea beside us and a giant screen in front of us, I was reminded how powerful and universal art can be in all its forms.
It was a surreal and magical moment, not only to witness film in such a celebratory context, but also to grow closer to the residency group. As we laughed, shared impressions, and exchanged ideas, I felt the warmth of creative community the kind that fuels inspiration and builds long-lasting connections.