An unconditional love for, and I quote, «spaghetti bolognese, airports, [their] cat, and old universities», Sébastien Gafari Is an architect and designer.
He is particularly known for his Trumeaux.
What is a trumeau? It is an architectural term; it refers to the space of a wall between two windows.
If you don't understand what it is, I invite you to consult its website the internet and its account Instagram, which are brimming with them.
We met in 2024 when he was a finalist for Design Parade Toulon.
In pairs with Sarah Guedes, they presented there Palazzo, designed as a haven for migrants who had to leave everything behind. This resonates with his own story as his parents, of Lebanese origin, fled the civil war.
In this episode, we discussed, among other things:
– of the history of trumeau panels and his fascination with this ornamental element; ;
– on the impact of the Design Parade competition on his career; ;
– of his pivotal meeting with India Mahdavi, and how she continues to follow and advise him; ;
– of the importance of teaching, which he embraced upon graduating; ;
– of the place that experimentation holds in his approach as a designer.
And of so many other aspects of the life of an architect / author-artist / teacher.
Even though the majority of his projects are in Paris, Sébastien lives, works, and teaches in Bordeaux.
A life choice he wouldn't change for anything in the world.
Because that's where he feels most aligned with himself — and with his cat.
I met Emmanuelle Roule Thanks to Charlotte Brunet, LA Marseillaise is indispensable. The Charlotte Brunet Agency She offers the curation and organization of sensitive experiences, and in particular artistic projects. She thus introduced me to gems, including a workshop visit with Emmanuelle Roule.
Born in Saint-Etienne, now based in Marseille after living and working in Paris and abroad, Emmanuelle Roule is a designer, art director and ceramist.
A graduate of ENSAMAA Olivier de Serres, Emmanuelle started out in graphic design before discovering ceramics almost by chance.
Whether she talks to us about bees, geology or design, Emmanuelle offers a rich and technical analysis without being hermetic. Quite the opposite.
Because everything she undertakes is guided by a great curiosity and a desire to break down the barriers between all disciplines.
Immediate embarkation for a journey to the center of the Earth.
Granddaughter of the painter François Bret, who founded the’Luminy School of Fine Arts and Architecture in Marseille,
And daughter of Marie-Christine and Roger Pailhas, famous for the eponymous gallery in Marseille and also founder of Art dealers, which he liked to describe as «the smallest art fair in the world»,
Julie Pailhas has always been immersed in art — and entrepreneurship.
She started alongsideOlivier Saillard at the Fashion Museum in Marseille, before doing an internship in the press department of Dries Van Noten in Paris.
From opportunity to recommendation, Julie then worked as a fashion stylist and artistic director for numerous iconic magazines for 25 years.
And then lockdown called her back to her home city, Marseille, where she created in 2021 Inanimate Objects, her flat-gallery.
Stylist – curator – gallery owner, Julie is renowned for her discerning eye, her flair and a certain radicalism.
It was the first time I'd met her, and I couldn't leave!
Together, we naturally talked about her journey, and how she managed to find her place within such a family; ;
And, of course, the design and organisation of its exhibitions, whether held on-site or off-site; ;
From its business model; ;
And how and why it differs from a traditional gallery.
With the desire to showcase emerging or established artists, Julie Pailhas has created, in her own home, a unique space that reflects her personality and brings people together.
Portrait of Julie and her cat Momo in her flat-gallery in Marseille © Florian Touzet
