Projet Balthazar, Villa Juliette H.
Birth of the project
On the 21st of December 2019, my three cats chased after an unknown creature for days. Finally, I saw the small and dishevelled head of a magnificent animal, which was hiding at the top of the woodpile and watching me. Finally, I saw the small and dishevelled head of a magnificent animal, which was hiding at the top of the woodpile and watching me. After initially retreating in fear, it cautiously returned to the front and looked me straight in the eye before jumping into my arms from the 3 metre high woodpile. Despite being hungry, thirsty, and having a coriza, it had a stunning appearance. Why was this tiny kitten in our house, surrounded by busy streets and roads?
From the beginning, I knew this was a matter of the heart, the kind that you yearn for with such fervour that it makes you shake. You fear the intensity of your emotions because you desire them so deeply…
I visited the entire neighbourhood, hoping for negative responses. I obtained none. It was almost Christmas when I received a precious gift from heaven, whom I named Balthazar Dieudonné. He became MY cat, despite the fact that my family was fond of all our three cats. However, as soon as I laid eyes on him, he stole my heart.
Throughout 2020, he brought me immense joy.
Another passion
Apart from this, as a family, we welcomed a young Afghan who worked as a tailor for Galiano and Jean-Paul Gauthier. He decided to organise fashion shows after completing high school. I assisted him and he requested me to capture pictures of his outfits. Besides the outfits, the models were also present. They appreciated my work and asked me to photograph them too. I informed Sami that I have been doing photography since 1976! Additionally, I disclosed my penchant for capturing pictures of nude women. Sami motivated me to pursue it.
Eventually, on 5th July 2020, I found the missing piece to humanity’s puzzle… Juliette Hardy, her stage name. An unknown flying object, a free-spirited cat with curious eyes, starts off the first photo session full of inquiries and eventually becomes well-behaved, liberated, then lively and uninhibited… The day prior, I took photos of a stunning model, yet Juliette, equally stunning, brought a sense of intellectual proximity and altruism that resonated with me as it resembled my own… The reflection effect was astounding and I remained somewhat speechless, in my view. Despite this, she didn’t turn me away; instead, she plans to release me.
Following a few conversations about life, love, work, and marriage, our connection grew even closer and more unconventional – she is 27, and I am over twice her age… But I realized that within a short period of time, she had become a significant part of my thoughts and concerns. I wondered what Juliette would think and where she stood with her plans. This seemed unnecessary as we had only met a few hours ago. I promptly arranged another photoshoot in Paris at the Bristol with Marie, and we planned to have dinner together at Fréchon. Unfortunately, the plans had to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances (COVID, tree hours before …).
I’ll tell you about her arrival later. Since then, Marie has been a support for me during difficult times.
Do you see the similarities between a kitten and a model?
They both bring kindness and protection, as well as a desire for respect and freedom.
I also collect sculptures.
They both bring kindness and protection, as well as a desire for respect and freedom.
On a Sunday afternoon in Rennes, my neighbour (who is a stone sculptor) gave me a stone he didn’t need anymore (it was a lamp base) and loaned me his tools. He asked if I was interested, and I eagerly accepted. Despite slightly watering down my dinner, I managed to create a bust and hand within just a few hours, and perhaps the meal helped me in some way. I have never been able to surpass that moment of grace since.
But it’s clear that sculpture has brought me closer. As someone who’s always touched other people’s arms and shoulders, eager to share and feel what they feel, I find myself drawn to it.
My first two major purchases were Charbonnel (Poséidon) and Marie Paule Deville Charbrol (le frisson).
The Balthazar project is now called Villa Juliette H. This is because there is already an art gallery called « la villa Balthazar » – hard to believe, but true! The project has three themes that connect through refuge: abandoned animals, censored artistic nudes, and Touraine’s endangered species and botany.
GAS, after a successful career, aimed to bring together everything he adored in one place.
A 999-metre path is surrounded by artistic photos and sculptures, newly-grown and splendid trees, impressive plants and shrubs, and rescued animals sent by a network of veterinary or animal protection organizations.
The Villa Juliette H. project cares deeply about animals and provides a temporary home for those in need, helping them to begin anew. When exploring the area, visitors will have the opportunity to meet sheep, ewes, and other residents.
The art gallery’s pieces can be displayed outdoors in this beautiful green area. The most profitable aspect is the nude exhibition, which may be improved at times by including photographers and/or models.
The cellar
Additionally, the cellar provides a lovely setting to sample exquisite wines by the swimming pool on various terraces.