This week’s Up My Street spent some time in Geneva, a city that has only recently settled onto the list of places to be for young artists. We met with Christophe Durand to talk about le Bal des Créateurs, a curious enterprise that Durand founded and directs.






Le Bal des Créateurs is many things, generally a gallery space that shifts and changes for each exhibition, it’s also a hairdresser and beauty salon, where you can get a haircut by one of the best – Christophe himself – able to boast (but humbly doesn’t) a client list that reads as a who’s who of the celebrity world. Le Bal des Créateurs is also a bar where Sicilian wine flows to the patrons’ delight, and last but not least, it’s a library. Home to some rare and beautiful magazines, its collection includes PROFIL, a magazine Christophe created himself. He explains how this gallery hosts different exhibitions featuring the work of many young talents graduating from art schools around the country. Durand’s aim is to “offer big city opportunities to those whose heads are full of vibrating projects.” We like the sound of that!








In which neighborhood do you live?
I live on Le Salève, 1300m up in the mountains overlooking Geneva.


What’s the name of your street?
La Croisette.


Where to you spend most of your free time?
Outside.



Photo via Café Zinette.


What’s your favourite place around town?
Café Zinette, where I like to enjoy a nice drink after work.


Who’s the most inspiring person you’ve met around your neighborhood?
Renate Cornu. She was an actress, owns a gallery of contemporary art and an art review. She is always so beautifully dressed, she is really inspiring to me


What’s your little corner of paradise around here?
The mountains, in so little time you can isolate yourself from everything. The fresh air is great.


Where would you find the best glass of wine?
At le Bal des Créateurs. We have some great people who bring in amazing Sicilian wine.


How would you describe the vibe of Geneva?
It’s all the opportunities of a big city in the dynamism of a small town…


What’s your best memory here?
I have learned to settle down here. Also, working in events here has been an incredible experience.





Words and photos by Anouck Mutsaerts unless otherwise stated.