You might find this title a little expected? And you’re thinking to yourself that indeed the sea is only 300 meters away from the exhibition and that perhaps “Mountain view Residence” would have been a little… so to speak… irrelevant? Well you are not completely in the wrong, and Marion Mailender is well aware of it, she was indeed expecting your reaction.

It should be said that Marion masters the art of a straight to the point title, the kind that sets the scene in just three words. This is how she describes her work. You just have to wonder the internet for a bit to realize it, as you read through the first referenced articles “Fun is the function rather than form is the function” or “less is more but too much is cool”. Quotes that for a while had me thinking that her casualness and humor were mainly a way of hiding her shyness, but then I realize that even though she was indeed a bit shy, but not that much, Marion has the delicacy and elegance of never wanting to bore others, even less with her work.

And as we know, you should always beware of shortcuts. Because actually Marion is not laid-back, she is free. She is not just plain funny, she is witty. The kind of wit that inquisitive people have, and she understands that extreme hardship is the only way to then have fun.

SeeView Residence, is then not just a funny title that sounds like a property ad, but also a discreet way to recall a shared story, and also pin point more intimate subject that are close to her heart, and that guide her, since the start, to engineer bold and daring interior architecture and design projects. For the collective story, lets rewind and give a quick summary of a time where France was healing her wounds from the Second World War, and decided to launch a vast recovery project that was going to shape the french architecture landscape. They had to act fast, the needs were huge and for the largest numbers. The vertical town envisioned by Le Corbusier with his Cité Radieuse was born, and would gently give the tempo: verticality became a must and life as collective a growing story – or will not be. They swore by modernism, and installed paid leave as an improvement to the standard of living. As a consequence the french raided the Mediterranean cost. The result is that between Nice and La Grande Motte, a doted line of holiday home will appear, with a must have requirement, the sea as the only horizon.

So why this title? Because this is the kind of living condition that Marion grew up in, in Marseille, chasing her cousins at family gatherings in the corridors of the Cité Radieuse, or in the luxury hallways of her friends’ buildings. These are the precise happy memories that she wanted to showcase and recount to the public through her invitation at Design Parade Toulon, because it is there that she indeed draws her inspiration.

So if at this stage you are still wondering why this title, there is only one way to answer. Go ahead and push the glass door, go on, don’t be afraid, and follow the path of this staw like ground battered by the sun and the sand, you might come across Mister Marchioni, who has lost is joy as fast as he started his retirement, or Mister and Misses Martineaud, the 3B neighbors. In case no one answers the door bell, and the caretaker blinds are shut, wait, because Rose and Bettina shouldn’t be too long coming back from the beach. And by all means, do not hesitate to stop them in their clowning, as it can go on indefinitely. Tell them that you are here to visit the ground floor apartment, they will open the door for you, they have the keys.

Here, there you go, you are finally in, so relax and let the place guide you. On your left, through the window, you can see Jean Pierre from a distance, the top floor neighbor, who is ever so ready to organize Apéros (drinks with friends) for the co-owned community in the building, as much as he is trying to teach wind surf to his nieces and nephews, as soon as the summer sun comes out. And most likely in the living room that is on your right, and that is because, as everyone will tell you in the building « it’s the best place for apéros, wether you are 5 or 15 ». And whilst you here and some doors are missing, have a look around the rest of the place, you might smile at some details, and with others reminisce at your own memories without realizing it. If that’s not the case, no need to panic, it’s alright, because this visit would of at least gave you an idea of what it is to live a life where happiness and friendliness govern, both subject that Marion wanted to highlight with this exhibition.

“Seaview Residence” is indeed the title. And yes, there could have been another title, something like « enchanted interlude », but you have to admit, it would not have sparked your curiosity, moreover this title was the one of a movie that came out in 2000. One that was shot in a location nearby, and you might also guess the storyline.

Sophie Pinet