For several years, Valentin Donato has been capturing the Nice Carnival. Today, he unveils a selection of 30 photographs taken between 2018 and 2024 in a unique exhibition. Presented in the LOU BABAZOUK 2 gallery, the exhibition offers an original perspective on this emblematic event.
The exhibition highlights a very particular aesthetic. “I created a filter that I apply to my photos to convey my vision of the Carnival,” explains Valentin. His work plays with a unique colorimetry, enhancing the costumes and festive atmosphere of the city.
Among the displayed photographs, special emphasis is placed on the battle of the flowers. Costumed models, petals swirling under an azure sky: each image tells a story, capturing the magical moment of this key event of the Carnival.
A Personal Project Turned Exhibition
The idea of exhibiting had been on Valentin’s mind for several years. “The goal was primarily to showcase my work to my community, but also to those who don’t know me,” he confides. The exhibition, visible until Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM, is an opportunity for the photographer to meet his audience and sell his works.
The municipal gallery, where exhibitions change every three weeks, was lent to him by the town hall. “It’s a busy place, there are always people, especially tourists who came for the Carnival,” he notes.
A Success Driven by Social Media
With more than 90,000 followers on Instagram, Valentin Donato enjoys a loyal audience. This visibility has allowed him to attract a diverse public. “Of course, there are many people from Nice, but also Canadians, Argentinians, Parisians… Some included me in their Carnival itinerary after seeing my work online,” he continues.
Local media also promoted the event, further amplifying its impact. But word of mouth remains one of the best ways of discovery. “Between 60 and 70% of visitors come thanks to social media, the rest are passersby and curious individuals who stumble upon the exhibition,” he estimates.
A Passion Born from Archives
The photos displayed cover six years of Carnival. “I have some from before 2018, but I couldn’t find them,” Valentin smiles. So, it wasn’t a deliberate choice, but rather a coincidence of archive sorting that shaped the selection.
This exhibition is a first, but certainly not the last. “I’ve wanted to show my work in this form for a long time,” he confides. His objective: to capture even more unique moments and continue to enhance Nice through his lens.
For lovers of beautiful images and Carnival enthusiasts, this exhibition is an invitation to rediscover the event through an innovative artistic lens.
