THE ART OF CONFRONTATION

The source of L'Affrontement is "the duel": practiced, tolerated or condemned, but always valued, the duel remains a historical and social phenomenon that has crossed borders and ages.

Fierce, flamboyant, serious or spectacular, "mano a mano" or "forehead to forehead" remains a form of confrontation present in people's minds in many different ways, whether in the world of sport, art, video games or even democratic politics. David versus Goliath, Athos versus d'Artagnan, Federer versus Nadal or Harry Potter versus Voldemort... from ancient Egypt to the present day, from East to West, humans have clashed in history as well as in fiction.

To resolve a dispute, defend one's honor or serve the Olympic and Paralympic values (Friendship, Respect, Excellence), the aesthetics of the "duel" take the form of programmed, ritualized, even choreographed and legitimized violence: it then responds to a protocol and rules that are inscribed and precise, varying according to era and country.

L'Affrontement illustrates this aesthetic of honor and respect for the other in the "duel". And this millennia-old art of combat, forehead to forehead, then by weapons - from swords to tennis rackets - nourishes many fantasies in our collective imagination.

For the athlete preparing for Olympic or Paralympic events, who trains consistently and relentlessly, year after year, month after month, day after day, the confrontation is a daily one: a unique confrontation with oneself. 

The aim is to surpass oneself, to push back one's limits, always "faster, higher, stronger, together".

In this face-to-face, body-to-body, front-to-front confrontation, they are on an equal footing, watching and fighting each other.

And the duel becomes a duo, one against the other, self against self.

And the "Olympic I" is transformed into a "We" of solidarity and brotherhood.

• Olivier Orban.