A major event for contemporary art in Aix-en-Provence
This archive details my announced participation in SM’ART Life, in Aix-en-Provence, from 29 April to 3 May 2026, at the TargetArt stand. The text below retains the artistic project and the artists featured for that previous edition. Upcoming dates can be found on my Exhibitions page.
SM’ART Life attracts an audience with an appreciation for the visual arts, contemporary creation, contemporary artworks and the opportunity to meet the exhibiting artists in person. As such, this type of international fair or major artistic event is not limited to a mere succession of exhibitions. It becomes a space for the exchange of artworks, perspectives, materials and sensibilities. In this sense, the fair embodies what I love about contemporary art exhibitions: the opportunity to foster a vibrant exchange between creators, collectors, contemporary art enthusiasts and curious visitors.
Exhibiting in Aix-en-Provence also gives the event a distinctive character. The city possesses genuine cultural appeal. It attracts both fine art enthusiasts and visitors keen to explore the contemporary art scene. Consequently, taking part in an art fair such as SM’ART Life takes on a very stimulating dimension. It provides an opportunity to showcase one’s works, meet new collectors, and engage with gallery owners or art lovers who are discovering this approach for the first time.
A group exhibition conceived as an encounter
The TargetArt stand as a pop-up contemporary art gallery
The TargetArt stand will function as a genuine contemporary art gallery for the duration of the fair. Of course, it is not a permanent gallery in the traditional sense. However, for a few days, this space will become a venue for exhibiting works, engaging in dialogue, presenting artworks and discovering a range of complementary worlds.
That is also what makes art fairs and exhibitions so fascinating. Unlike a solo show, a group exhibition allows very different artistic approaches to enter into dialogue. One thus moves from an introspective painting to a dreamlike photograph, from a work involving recycling to a collage practice, from a symbolic universe to a visual exploration centred on the feather, colour or vibration. Moreover, this juxtaposition enriches the interpretation of each artist’s work. It reveals contrasts, but also connections.
For a visitor, this diversity is invaluable. It allows one to approach the art world not as a uniform whole, but as a collection of unique voices. Some works speak to the viewer immediately. Others reveal themselves more slowly. Some captivate through their materiality. Others through their concept, composition, light or emotional intensity. It is precisely this diversity that constitutes the richness of a well-curated art exhibition.
Imaginary Planets: contemporary photography between reality and the dreamlike
An artistic approach at the crossroads of several languages
For my part, I shall be presenting several works from my series *Imaginary Planets*. My practice sits at the intersection of photography, composite imagery, drawing, painting and a form of visual storytelling. In other words, I do not seek merely to produce photographic images. I seek to transform the visible, to imbue it with poetic depth, to shift a fragment of reality into another space.
Each work begins with a landscape, an urban detail, a natural material, a light or a horizon. This starting point is then reinterpreted. Gradually, the real place breaks free from its purely descriptive function. It becomes a work of contemporary art, a mental space, a sensitive territory. This is how these mini-planets that make up my universe come into being.
This approach falls squarely within the realm of contemporary photography. Indeed, I do not view photography as a mere record of the world. I see it as an artistic medium in its own right, capable of entering into dialogue with other disciplines within the visual and graphic arts. Consequently, my works seek to evoke emotion, surprise and, at times, a slight sense of disorientation, always in the service of a more open visual experience.
Contemporary artworks designed to bring people together
Exhibiting my contemporary works at a contemporary art fair such as SM’ART Life therefore makes a great deal of sense. The fair allows the images to be taken out of their purely digital or editorial existence and confronted with physical presence. Yet, encountering a work of art changes everything. The format, the texture, the finish, the light, the distance, the rhythm of the gaze: all these elements contribute to the experience.
I also want my contemporary artworks to remain accessible in their relationship with the viewer. They may, of course, give rise to different interpretations, sometimes very personal ones. However, they do not seek to exclude. On the contrary, they invite. They open a passage between the real and the imaginary. They offer a moment of pause in a world saturated with fleeting images.
In this spirit, SM’ART Life will be a special opportunity to discuss my practice, explain my creative process, and demonstrate how a real landscape can become a poetic, strange, sensitive and, at times, meditative creation. This is also why I love contemporary art fairs: they facilitate a direct relationship between the artist and the public.
The TargetArt artists exhibiting alongside me at this contemporary art fair
At the TargetArt stand, I shall not be exhibiting alone. I shall have the pleasure of being surrounded by several contemporary artists with distinctive approaches, whose works fully enrich this contemporary art exhibition in Aix-en-Provence. Each artist develops a personal language, a medium, a sensibility and a way of engaging with artistic creation. This diversity is the very strength of a contemporary art fair: it allows visitors to move from one world to another, to compare, to experience, and sometimes to discover works of contemporary art that are very different from those they imagined they would like.
Thus, this group exhibition at the TargetArt stand is more than simply a collection of works displayed side by side. It offers a genuine dialogue between several artistic practices: painting, visual arts, contemporary photography, collage, creative upcycling and even work with the pen. In this spirit, encountering the artists showing alongside me means stepping into a diverse, open and contemporary art scene, where each practice brings its own intensity.
Patrick Moles: vibrant paintings blending spirituality, colour and interpretation
Patrick Moles creates a body of pictorial work in which colour plays a central role. For him, colour is never merely a visual embellishment. It acts as a force, a vibration, and at times as a gateway to a deeper interpretation. His paintings thus invite the viewer to enter a mental space where intuition, dreams and reflection intersect.
His work forms part of an exploration that touches upon both spirituality and sensory experience. Furthermore, his compositions often contain coded messages or symbols to be interpreted. This lends his canvases a particular depth. The viewer’s gaze is not passive; it is engaged, set in motion and encouraged to construct its own interpretation of the work.
In a contemporary art exhibition, Patrick Moles’s presence brings a very strong pictorial intensity. His artistic world enriches the TargetArt stand with an approach to painting that combines emotion, colour and thought. He thus plays a full part in this diverse artistic creation, which the public will be able to discover in Aix-en-Provence.
Françoise Lenoble: a painter of emotion, harmony and presence
Françoise Lenoble is a painter whose work is based on a profound relationship between colour, harmony and emotion. Her work explores a humanistic dimension in which every nuance seems to carry an intimate intensity. Consequently, her painting is not merely a formal exploration; it becomes a sensitive language.
What strikes the viewer is the sense of presence they exude. Nothing is ostentatious. Yet everything resonates. A tone, a balance, a sense of rhythm and a tension that is at times subtle are enough to create a dialogue with the viewer. Furthermore, his quest for beauty and authentic expression lends his work a great sense of coherence.
As part of this contemporary art exhibition in Aix-en-Provence, Françoise Lenoble will bring a dimension that is both pictorial and deeply emotional. Her world will resonate with those who appreciate original works, a sensitivity to colour, and the way in which certain creations touch the soul quietly yet lastingly.
Jean-Marc Ambrosini: between photography, collage and hybrid visual creation
Jean-Marc Ambrosini explores a fascinating realm situated between photography, collage, drawing, painting and the repurposing of objects. His work demonstrates great freedom of composition. Indeed, in his work, the image moves between several realms. It does not conform to a fixed definition. It is composed, shifts and transforms.
His photographs and hand-made collages form the raw material of his artistic practice. The use of digital technology then opens up new artistic possibilities. The result is profoundly contemporary. It defies overly rigid categorisation. It represents a form of contemporary creation that embraces the transitions between media.
This approach is particularly stimulating in the context of a contemporary art fair. It demonstrates just how much the current art scene embraces cross-disciplinary practices, straddling the boundaries between disciplines. Jean-Marc Ambrosini thus brings a distinctive visual language to the TargetArt stand, informed by photography but open to other forms of artistic expression. His work will appeal equally to lovers of contemporary photography and to those who appreciate hybrid works, artist-driven worlds and challenging artistic approaches.
Nino’s: recycling as a medium for creation and storytelling
Tony Asaro, also known as Nino’s, has developed an approach based on the transformation of recycled materials such as metal, wood and plastic. This foundation enables him to produce works in which materials are given a new lease of life – not merely utilitarian, but poetic and symbolic. His work thus forms part of a contemporary artistic reflection on consumption, the environment and art’s capacity to redefine what seemed lost.
His approach possesses a genuine visual power. The material never remains raw in the passive sense of the term. It becomes language, volume, assemblage, presence. Furthermore, Nino’s readily draws on mythological, historical or religious references, blending them with elements drawn from the plant and animal kingdoms or the world of objects. From this fusion emerges a rich visual narrative, at times surprising, always imbued with life.
He also designs self-contained terrariums and aquariums incorporating metal. This interplay between structure, living matter and decorative elements makes his work particularly original. In a temporary contemporary art gallery such as the TargetArt stand, his presence will offer a highly contemporary perspective on artistic creation, situated at the intersection of social engagement, formal innovation and the power of recycling.
Fanny Litzia: the pen, the vibration and the legacy of an ancestral art form
Fanny Litzia has developed a world centred on feathers, a material that is at once light, vibrant, precious and expressive. The origins of this approach lie in a profound experience she had in Rio de Janeiro during the carnival. There, feathers imposed themselves upon her as an all-encompassing presence: colourful, vibrant, radiant and omnipresent. Since then, they have continually fuelled her imagination.
His artistic journey began with the creation of samba costumes, before evolving towards featherwork. This shift is fundamental. It demonstrates how a practice linked to movement, celebration and splendour can become a more sculptural, more artisanal and more introspective endeavour. Thus, the feather ceases to be a mere ornament. It becomes a medium for creation.
In a contemporary art exhibition, this singularity is invaluable. Litzia’s work brings a rare, instantly recognisable texture. It connects gesture, material, memory and transmission. Her world will appeal just as much to connoisseurs of refined art objects as to those interested in the arts and crafts, the sensuality of materials and the symbolic power of ancestral craftsmanship reimagined in a contemporary style.
Why the SM’ART Life contemporary art fair is well worth a visit
A contemporary art fair perfect for discovering new work
Today, there are numerous contemporary art fairs, numerous temporary exhibitions, numerous art galleries and a multitude of events dedicated to modern and contemporary art. However, not all of them offer the same quality of experience. What makes SM’ART Life particularly interesting is precisely its ability to bring together artists, gallery owners, creators and visitors in a setting where discovery remains central.
Here, the public can discover contemporary artists, view their artworks, engage with them, compare creative approaches, appreciate the materials, and immerse themselves in a visual narrative. For collectors, it is an opportunity to refine their eye. For art lovers, it is a way to explore the art scene without feeling intimidated. Finally, for artists, it is a space for visibility, dialogue and exchange.
An experience for contemporary art enthusiasts and collectors
I firmly believe in the importance of these events in the contemporary art market. Not because they reduce art to its commercial dimension. On the contrary, they often serve to reconcile aesthetic emotion with the reality of the encounter. A work of art can move, surprise and provoke. Only then can the desire to collect arise.
In this context, SM’ART Life offers an engaging experience not only for art collectors, but also for those wishing to acquire their first piece of art, discover new artists or gain a better understanding of the diversity of contemporary approaches. It is also a place where one can explore affordable works, more ambitious pieces, emerging scenes and established artists.
Come and meet Paul Marnef at SM’ART Life Aix-en-Provence with TargetArt
An invitation to discover the Imaginary Planets and other artists
If you already follow my work, this edition of the fair will be a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the Imaginary Planets in a new context, surrounded by other compelling artistic approaches. If you are not yet familiar with my world, then SM’ART Life could serve as a first encounter with my fine art photography, my mini-planets and this desire to transform reality into a realm of the senses.
I invite you to explore my work, alongside that of Patrick Moles, Françoise Lenoble, Jean-Marc Ambrosini, Nino’s and Fanny Litzia. Together, we present a body of contemporary work where painting, photography, collage, upcycling, living materials and poetic expression intersect.
A contemporary art fair in Aix-en-Provence to experience in person
Nothing can replace the experience of standing before the works themselves. Viewing an image on a screen, reading a text, browsing an art website or following an artist on social media never quite offers the same experience as a direct encounter with the formats, textures, light and exhibition layout. That is why I look forward to welcoming you to the SM’ART Life contemporary art fair in Aix-en-Provence, at the TargetArt stand.
Whether you are a lover of contemporary photography, an enthusiast of the visual arts, a collector, simply curious, or already familiar with the work of some of the artists featured, this exhibition will be an opportunity to discover works of contemporary art in a lively, open and welcoming atmosphere.
In short, taking part in SM’ART Life means much more to me than simply attending a fair. It marks a highlight in terms of visibility, meeting people and sharing experiences. I hope to see you there, to chat with you about the Imaginary Planets, and, whilst I’m at it, to introduce you to several artists whose creative worlds are well worth your attention.
Discover the works available in fine art finish
The Imaginary Planets are offered in several professional finishes: Fine Art prints, ChromaLuxe, Diachrome or other media depending on the artwork. Each print is produced as a limited edition, signed, numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
To continue your exploration
Would you like to find out more about a piece of work or how it is presented? Please write to me to discuss it. You can also explore other topics on the fine art photography blog.
See also: L’Esprit de l’Art in Paris: my Imaginary Planets with TargetArt in 2025; Art Capital at the Grand Palais: my experience as a fine art photographer.