The scents of life
“Every time I visit the residence, I am touched by the life and energy that reigns there, by the cheerful atmosphere, and by the kindness and helpfulness of the staff.
The green surroundings, the variety of communal areas and the activities on offer also contribute to this. And the “family” atmosphere of the place, where life is good.
The residents are at home here.
However, beyond the shared, collective moments, behind each face beats the heart of an often-ignored world, an unrecognised space: a unique life, woven from here and elsewhere, from today and yesterday, with its own marks, in a unique range of colours, scents, sensations, feelings, dreams, regrets and memories.
I went to meet these people. In confidence, some of them opened the doors to their secret gardens, all astonishing in their diversity and richness.
When these gardens are discovered and shared, they weave together the infinite, shimmering tapestry of our humanity.
Members of staff fit naturally into the fresco, each with their own talents, actively contributing to the well-being of everyone and the common harmony of this shared living space.
Thank you for these encounters.”
Paul Martens
A series of around sixty portraits of residents and staff members of a retirement home in Belgium.
The people living in the establishment rub shoulders without having chosen each other, generally unaware of the life paths and interests of those around them, contenting themselves most often with exchanges about food, care and activities.
The aim of this project, which resulted in two exhibitions within the residence, was to honour each person’s uniqueness, to arouse curiosity about each other’s worlds and to encourage discoveries that would forge bonds.
