France and China unite for art exchange

Good news for local Marvel fans! Renowned French concept artist Aleksi Briclot will introduce the creation process of Surtur — a comic book villain based on Norse mythology who is an enemy of Thor — during a keynote speech at a salon dialogue in Nantou Ancient Town this Saturday.

Aleksi Briclot. Photos courtesy of event organizer

Briclot is one of several visiting French artists who will participate in the salon dialogue with Chinese science fiction writers, an event aimed at encouraging cross-cultural creativity and imagination. Serving as a bridge to connect and fuse imaginative Eastern and Western ideas, the activity is part of the third season of the Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program, which is scheduled to kick off in Shekou on the same day.

In his presentation, Briclot will discuss his collaboration with Marvel Studios' core visual design team and his work as a concept artist. He will showcase his Marvel projects, including character and monster design as well as keyframes, illustrating the entire movie production process — from original concept creation to the final screening — through 72 slides. His keynote will also reveal behind-the-scenes details about movie studios, the film industry, and standard production procedures.

Nicolas Petrimaux

Also attending the salon is illustrator and concept designer Nicolas Petrimaux, who will briefly introduce the concepts of narrative and storyboarding in comic creation by drawing from his own works and projects he has participated in. With experience at video game and post-production studios such as Visiware, Wizarbox, and Dontnod Entertainment, he will also compare comic creation with film based on his experience with story-boarding, concept design, and directing.

Gilles Francescano

Gilles Francescano, another French artist, will share his experience working with students in the “Second Chance School” program at the salon. As part of that program, he provided each student with a blank sheet of paper and asked them to draw an image that reflects their identity and aspirations, aiming to open a window into their inner world through their artwork.

Francescano has created numerous images that blend science fiction, poetry, and horror. Many have been featured in novels, computer games, and films. His illustrations, frequently exhibited in France and abroad, have earned him numerous awards, including The Gold Airbrush in Germany.

(Clockwise from L) Chinese artists Hai Ya, Liang Chaopo and Xiao Zhuangyue. 

Chinese artists Hai Ya, Xiao Zhuangyue, and Liang Chaopo will join the French artists at the salon. Hai, member of the China Writers Association, received the Best Novelette award at the 81st Hugo Awards for "The Time-Space Painter." Xiao, an internationally renowned CG artist, concept designer, and founder of the XRCG Academy, serves as the chief invited Chinese CG artist at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Liang is a film special effects expert and visual effects supervisor.

Admission is free and no reservations are required.