France eMotion: the animated journey

Arc de Triomphe dyptich by David Schalliol
Press kit

A joint initiative between Atout France and the Institut français, France eMotion – The animated journey, is a travelling art exhibition that celebrates new technologies, the work of four young international photographers, and cultural sites throughout France. Featuring 35 original pieces that come alive through augmented reality, the project aims to spark the curiosity of visitors around the world and inspire them to come (re)discover France’s rich heritage.

Every year, France’s flourishing cultural scene sees a steady stream of museum openings, ambitious renovation plans for monuments, and brand new festivals. Such robust activity is a blessing for the tourism industry, as international interest in French culture continues to grow. Inspired by Imagine France – A fantastic voyage, a successful exhibition featuring photographer Maia Flore that opened in 2014,* Atout France and the Institut français set out to create a new artistic travelling showcase of French cultural attractions. France eMotion – The animated journey, is the fruit of a close collaboration between the two agencies and exhibition curator Muriel Enjalran. Four photographers from around the globe—Ishola Akpo of Benin, Edu Monteiro of Brazil, David Schalliol of the United States, and Lourdes Segade of Spain—were asked to travel to different parts of France during the summer of 2017 to photograph 35 cultural attractions.

To bring these photographs to life, French artists Julie Chheng and Thomas Pons created an animated character that changes form as it moves through the images: a touch of augmented reality that can be viewed with the help of a free and easy to use mobile app. The result is an artistic experience like no other. With its combination of photography and digital animation, France eMotion takes viewers on an eye-opening journey to discover—or rediscover—France’s rich heritage. After debuting in Paris at the Conciergerie, a tourist site operated by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the exhibition will be on the road until 2020, making stops in Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Canada (summer 2018), the United States, and Benin.

In Canada, YVR Airport will be presenting the exhibition at the international terminal from mid-June to August 31, 2018, a very convivial way to celebrate France and Air Canada's new direct seasonal service Vancouver - Paris.

Media are invited to refer to the attached press kit (download link below).

Have you downloaded our app yet?

  1. Download the free France eMotion app, available for iOS and Android on the App Store and Google Play. https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/france-emotion/id1348314991?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D2

  2. Grant access to your device’s camera.

  3. Point your lens at the photographs and enjoy the animated experience!

Contact

Marie-Andrée Boucher
Atout France (Canada)
514 288 2026