Contes Silencios
Winner of Prix Cultures
with Provence Culture and L’Occitane en Provence
Exhibition at Le Couvent des Minimes
Mane, France
2026
︎
As part of its 50th anniversary, Maison L'Occitane en Provence and PROVENCE CULTURE launched Le Prix Cultures, an initiative dedicated to actively supporting the contemporary art scene that captures and celebrates the spirit of Provence.
The Jury have named multimedia artist júlia lema barros as the laureate of the inaugural Prix Cultures, alongside finalists Florian Monfrini, Cyprien Schaffner and Arina Essipowitsch.
Her winning project, Contes Silencios, is an in-situ installation conceived specifically for the architecture of Le Couvent des Minimes, un Hôtel & Spa L'Occitane en Provence.
Inspired by the writings of Jean Giono, the work unfolds in three movements connected by a continuous sonic thread, inviting visitors to slow down and experience the light, stone and silence of Haute-Provence. Echoing The Man Who Planted Trees of Jean Giono, where discreet, often unseen gestures shape and transform landscapes over time — the installation unfolds in three movements connected by a continuous sonic thread. Rather than silence, it brings forward the unheard sounds of the place, inviting visitors to slow down, observe more closely, and experience the light, stone, nature and memory embedded within Haute-Provence.
Julia Lema Barros said “Contes Silencios is a work that emerges from the sounds already present — a delicate transparency embedded within the walls and the very essence of the place. An invitation to discover the Couvent des Minimes differently by observing details, listening to the territory, and becoming more aware of what usually goes unnoticed".
Winner of Prix Cultures
with Provence Culture and L’Occitane en Provence
Exhibition at Le Couvent des Minimes
Mane, France
2026
︎
As part of its 50th anniversary, Maison L'Occitane en Provence and PROVENCE CULTURE launched Le Prix Cultures, an initiative dedicated to actively supporting the contemporary art scene that captures and celebrates the spirit of Provence.
The Jury have named multimedia artist júlia lema barros as the laureate of the inaugural Prix Cultures, alongside finalists Florian Monfrini, Cyprien Schaffner and Arina Essipowitsch.
Her winning project, Contes Silencios, is an in-situ installation conceived specifically for the architecture of Le Couvent des Minimes, un Hôtel & Spa L'Occitane en Provence.
Inspired by the writings of Jean Giono, the work unfolds in three movements connected by a continuous sonic thread, inviting visitors to slow down and experience the light, stone and silence of Haute-Provence. Echoing The Man Who Planted Trees of Jean Giono, where discreet, often unseen gestures shape and transform landscapes over time — the installation unfolds in three movements connected by a continuous sonic thread. Rather than silence, it brings forward the unheard sounds of the place, inviting visitors to slow down, observe more closely, and experience the light, stone, nature and memory embedded within Haute-Provence.
Julia Lema Barros said “Contes Silencios is a work that emerges from the sounds already present — a delicate transparency embedded within the walls and the very essence of the place. An invitation to discover the Couvent des Minimes differently by observing details, listening to the territory, and becoming more aware of what usually goes unnoticed".
