During the end-of-year celebrations, an ice rink is set up on Place Charles-de-Gaulle in Chambly (Oise). Right next to it, a pop-up store opened its doors in mid-November. And we can say that it does not go unnoticed. Behind the window, bright colors catch the eye of onlookers, passing by with friends or family. Inside, Geslin Belbeoc'h evokes the works hung on the walls with passion. A good hundred are hanging there. There we find paintings on different themes: manga, Marvel, animals, athletes… But also decorative tickets, decorative skateboards and surfboards or even decorative car hoods. All very colorful. With street art as a common point. “Everything is made a few kilometers from here, in Belle-Églisehe says to the curious. We make everything we sell!»
Everything is made in Belle-Église
Although the store called La French Galerie is only a few weeks old, Geslin and his team have been in the business for quite some time. “The La French collective has existed for eighteen yearshe says. Originally, skateboards and surfboards and decorative car hoods were made. We returned to the tables three years ago. It is of interest to people, it gives personality to the object. But we didn't want to do it before having acquired the skill of making our own frames.” When we tell you that everything is done at Belle-Église.
At the same time, his company Seven O manufactures and installs visual supports in events, in particular. The covid period having been more than slack in this environment, we had to keep busy. Geslin then created a website to sell the objects they already made, and these famous paintings. “There must be 600 creations on the sitehe indicates. And a hundred in the store.»
Paintings made in small quantities
What also makes these paintings special is that they are only printed in very small quantities. Between 25 and 50, at the most. “We have no overstock, we manufacture as demand increases.explains the manager. It gives you the opportunity to buy something rare. And that forces us to regularly create new products. We also create unique pieces, like these two “masterpieces” on bubble wrap.» With a price list accessible to everyone: from key rings at €5 to hoods at €349, including tables for €20 or €80.
The idea for the pop-up store came later. But it delights the business manager. “We realize how attached people are, it creates new energy when talking with themnotes Geslin. We offer things that we wouldn't have done before, like cubism from the 1940s, or a manga environment. We didn't know.» Initially, the pop-up store was scheduled to close at the end of December. Ultimately, it will remain open until the end of January, or perhaps a little longer.
Other pop-up stores elsewhere in the works
A first, but an experience that its manager would like to repeat elsewhere later. “We already have a project at rue de Rennes in Paris for an exhibitionhe rejoices. Then, why not recreate a pop-up store in shopping centers, like Aéroville (at Roissy). Or in Beauvais, but you have to find the right place and the right time.»
In the meantime, the French gallery remains open until at least the end of January, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
