In November 2023, Stimultania invited photographer Mathias Zwick to lead an artist/public creation project with the residents of the nursing home at Givors Hospital, centered around the theme of sports. The photographer saw this as an opportunity to create, along with the residents, a space dedicated to imagination—contrasting with the often cold and sterile medical environment—and to share an intergenerational exchange and connection.
The photographer brought forth the idea: to create, in collaboration with willing elderly residents, portraits depicting them in the sports attire and with the equipment related to the sports they practiced, still practice, or continue to love. The idea quickly generated enthusiasm, both from the medical staff and the residents. The photo sessions were then organized over two weeks within the nursing home, which became, in turn, a tennis court, a basketball court, a gym, or even a hiking trail. In one room, Marthe and Roger improvised a volleyball match across a makeshift net, while in another, Georges perfected his ping-pong backhand. Madame Malburet, with her delicate hands, was ready to score a basket, while outside, Mr. Moreteau pedaled in a yellow jersey, cheered on by a delirious crowd. A bit further away, Madame Cellier and Madame Pironon were on a hiking expedition with their maps and backpacks. Finally, Mr. Garcia offered a wrestling demonstration—he had only ever lost one match in his life, the one against Lola, who also won his heart.
In their athletic endeavors, the elderly participants defied the notion of being sidelined by society, becoming the main actors in a universe filled with humor, dreams, and poetry. Everyone joined in the fun, including the caregivers, who were deeply involved from start to finish.
