EXchange program bolsters Sino-French bond

Video by Liu Xudong

A poster-sized image of the Hollywood superhero Iron Man drew a large crowd at the Wanxia Nature One center in Shekou on Saturday afternoon, marking the official opening of the “To the Future: Chinese/French Sci-Fi and Fantasy Exhibition.”

(From L to R) French artists Gilles Francescano and Nicolas Petrimaux interact with Chinese artist Zhao Enzhe during an event at the Wanxia Nature One center in Shekou on Saturday. Liu Xudong

Many local Marvel fans were surprised to learn that the image was designed by French concept artist Aleksi Briclot, a name unfamiliar to many. Since joining Marvel Studio’s visual design team in 2016, Briclot has contributed to iconic films like “Ant Man and the Wasp,” “Captain Marvel,” and “Thor: Ragnarok.”

Art exhibition

Briclot was among the French artists and illustrators invited to this year’s Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program. The event, in its third edition, is organized by the Nanshan District Government and co-hosted by the Nanshan District Foreign Affairs Office and the Shekou Subdistrict Office.

Although Briclot didn’t make it to the opening ceremony at the Wanxia center Saturday afternoon, the exhibition was packed with enthusiastic visitors appreciating science fiction art by both French and Chinese artists.

A visitor takes photos of artwork on display at the “To the Future: Chinese/French Sci-Fi and Fantasy Exhibition” at the Wanxia Nature One center in Shekou on Saturday. The exhibition, one of the Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program Season III events, will last through Nov. 25. Liu Xudong

Visiting French artists Gilles Francescano and Nicolas Petrimaux, as well as Chinese artists Zhao Enzhe and Xiao Zhuangyue, led visitors on a tour of the exhibition. They shared their creative process and insights from their exhibited works. The exhibition covers a diverse range of sci-fi themes, including deep-sea exploration, artificial intelligence, aviation, and aerospace.

Francescano praised the program as a successful platform for cultural exchange between Chinese and French artists during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He also emphasized the significance of understanding and celebrating the connections between individuals from different cultural backgrounds.

Visiting French artist Gilles Francescano demonstrates how to create artwork in front of local students in Nanshan District on Monday. Liu Xudong

During an exclusive interview with Shenzhen Daily on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Francescano said that he hopes to invite Chinese artists to France to showcase their work. He also underscored the value of cultural exchanges and cross-border artistic collaborations.

Francescano spoke highly of the program’s organization and warm reception, saying, “I know that I will take many photos to show people back in France how things are done here in Shenzhen.”

Cross-cultural dialogue

Despite overcast weather and occasional showers Sunday, local Marvel fans and enthusiasts of sci-fi and fantasy gathered at Nantou Ancient Town for an inspiring event called “A Date in Ancient City: An Artistic Conversation from the Marvel Universe to The Wandering Earth.” Chinese and French artists shared their design stories and insights on sci-fi and fantasy art and engaged in an informative dialogue.

Visiting French artist Nicolas Petrimaux demonstrates how to create artwork in front of local students in Nanshan District on Monday. Lin Songtao

French concept designer Petrimaux captivated animation enthusiasts by introducing narrative and storyboarding techniques used in comic creation, drawing from his own works and participation in various projects. With experience at video game and post-production studios such as Visiware, Wizarbox, and Dontnod Entertainment, he compared comic creation with film production.

Zhao Enzhe, recipient of the Best Professional Artist award in Paris last year, expressed his appreciation of cultural exchange events in Shenzhen. According to Zhao, these platforms enable art to reach a wider audience and foster participation. “I had a discussion with the French artists, and one of the common points between us is that we all are very passionate about art,” said Zhao, adding that passion is the fundamental driver of creativity.

Interactions with students

As part of the exchange program, the artists visited two public schools and an international school in Nanshan District, where they shared their creative processes, stories, and drawing techniques with the students.

During their visit to Shekou International School, Petrimaux told the students that illustration in the realm of science fiction often involves more than just drawing. He emphasized the role of young minds in creativity, which he believes thrive without the constraints of social conventions.

A selection of artwork focusing on future themes and Sino-French friendship, created by students in Nanshan District, was displayed at the Wanxia Nature One center. The vibrant colors and imaginative concepts in these paintings garnered praise from visitors. Notably, a piece by 13-year-old QSI student Huang Tsingz, which depicted an extinct species of blue whale, secured the gold award at this year’s Forbes China 100 Teenage Artists competition in August.

Other activities

The artists also toured well-known enterprises, “innovation and entrepreneurship” parks, and creative cultural tourism destinations in Nanshan to learn about the district’s local cultural industry and innovative atmosphere.

This year’s Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

French artist Gilles Francescano takes a selfie with local students in Nanshan District on Monday. Lin Songtao

Initiated in Shekou in November 2018, the program has significantly enriched the vitality and artistic atmosphere of the Shekou international block. It has also facilitated the signing of a friendly cooperation memorandum between the French city of Nantes and Shenzhen’s Nanshan District.

Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program Season III — Activities

1. Chinese/French Sci-Fi and Fantasy Exhibition

Add: First floor of the Wanxia Nature One center

Dates: Nov. 16-25

2. French Lifestyle Experience Session

Add: Exterior square of the Wanxia Nature One center

Date: Nov. 16

3. Chinese/French SciFi and Fantasy Dialogue Salon

Add: Nantou Ancient Town

Date: Nov. 16

4. Chinese/French Artists on Campus

A. Shekou International School

Date: Nov. 19

B. Shenzhen OCT Primary School

Date: Nov. 18

C. Shenzhen Nanshan Arts and Sciences Experimental School

Date: Nov. 18

5. ‘Expats visit Nanshan’ tours

Route 1: Discovery of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Path

Date: Nov. 16

Route 2: Exploration of Creative Culture and Tourism

Date: Nov. 17

Francescano’s passion for sci-fi

When Gilles Francescano first visited Shenzhen in 2018, he was struck by the city’s futuristic architecture, describing it as a science fiction-inspired metropolis.

“My love for science fiction made me think that if I had discovered Shenzhen earlier, I would have definitely come to live in Shenzhen,” the renowned French illustrator said during an exclusive interview with Shenzhen Daily before attending the inaugural ceremony of the Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program Season III in Shekou on Saturday.

Francescano’s passion for science fiction and the dynamic relationship between text and visuals has been a driving force in his career as an illustrator, especially within the realm of fantasy and sci-fi.

Although Francescano uses digital tools like tablets and photo-editing software for his illustrations, he considers the traditional pencil and paper as his “eternal technology.” He emphasized the importance of abstracting from the text to capture the essence of a science fiction image and to convey the feelings inspired by the narrative.

Through his involvement with the “Second Chance School” project, Francescano encouraged students to create artwork mirroring their identities and dreams. This initiative aimed to provide insight into the students’ inner worlds through their artistic expressions, showcasing the power of art in introspection and self-revelation.

Petrimaux’s artistic odyssey

Concept artist Nicolas Petrimaux started his artistic voyage during his adolescent years. His fascination with drawing and illustration was ignited by his exposure to anime, notably Akira Toriyama’s legendary series “Dragon Ball,” which holds great significance for many Chinese animation enthusiasts of the late 1970s and 1980s.

As he delved deeper into the world of art, Petrimaux went on to explore works by European authors that he found in French bookstores.

He singled out Olivier Vatine and Denis Vegera as the two French artists who inspired him the most in science fiction. Vatine, author of the popular “Aquablue” series in France, made his mark among “Star Wars” aficionados as the illustrator of Dark Horse Comics’ adaptation of Timothy Zahn’s “Heir to the Empire” and as the cover artist of “Star Wars Rebels.”

Petrimaux emphasized the importance of immersing oneself in the creative universe of other people from different countries and cultures and the role that cultural exchange activities like the Chinese/French Artists Exchange Program play.

“I think that these exchanges are very beneficial,” as they allow artists to engage with diverse artistic forms while honoring the uniqueness of each culture, he said.