How 8-year-old Arthur became the star of a photography festival in Normandy

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At just 8 years old, Arthur Hamel experienced an adventure that he will not soon forget.

A modern-day Viking

The Deauville photography festivalContact Sheets, chose to highlight his portrait pour the opening of his exhibitionan incredible opportunity for this young boy from La Hague (Manche), who thus becomes the face of a thousand-year-old history.

Ce young modern-day Vikingwith a look as gentle as it is intrepid, attracts all the eyes and hearts of the public normand. In the photo, full of intensity and emotionis exposed until January 5, 2025.

A beautiful story

The story of Arthur and this photo began a few weeks ago, and it all started thanks to his motherClaire Laurent. Claire is a well-known figure among the inhabitants of La Hague, known in particular for her traveling grocer's job.

Deeply attached to its roots Normandy and passionate about the history of William the Conqueror, Claire would never have imagined that her son would be propelled to the front of the artistic scene in this way.

It all started with a call from her friend Simon Cervantes, who asked her if she knew anyone interested in participating in a somewhat special photo shoot.

Spanish photographer Joan Alvado was working on a project called “Les Échos du Nord”, a series of images on Viking heritage in Normandy.

A meeting with the photographer

Enthusiastic, Claire first thought of proposing her friend Marc-Antoine Hersent, a resident of Tourlaville. But it is on his son, Arthur, that the artist will focus particularly.

A few weeks later, everyone meets in Jobourg for a photo session which will last a few hours. Arthur, dressed as a little Viking, plays the game with a seriousness and authenticity that impresses.

Joan Alvado is won over by the boy's naturalness and spontaneity, and captures his look which seems to transcend the ages. However, the session ends without any guarantee, no one yet knows at that time if these photos will one day be exhibited.

Arthur facing his portrait

Shortly after, Claire receives a message from Joan. He is captivated by Arthur’s photo: “The photo is sublime, I’ll keep it. » This is how Arthur won his place in the Deauville exhibition.

A suspended moment, become reality. It was on the opening day of the Planches Contact festival in Deauville that Arthur discovered his portrait exhibited in large format. Faced with the immensity of this image of him, dressed as a warrior of ancient timeshe remains speechless, slightly intimidated.

Around him, visitors stop, photograph the photo, and admire it. Claire observes her son, proud and moved.

He looked at them, proud and discreet.

For her, seeing Arthur so well received in this artistic universe is an immense source of pride. She can't help but smile when thinking of this unexpected adventure which revealed a new side of her son.

As for Arthur, he comes out of this experience grown, and with the desire to repeat the adventure. “I loved it!” », he says, his eyes shining. A budding passion for art and photography, perhaps?

One thing is certain, rare are the children who are lucky enough to see themselves thrust into the spotlight, right in Deauville. And for Arthur, this experience is the beginning of something magical: the encounter between a little boy, his story, and the art that transcends generations.

From our correspondent Laure GHANNAM

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