2025nanterrePetit Nanterrefrance

nous, le petit nanterre

What creates bonds in a neighborhood? In the summer of 2025, in Petit Nanterre, the participants investigate among the residents through photography and sound, then give shape to their answers.

With Zy'Va, the group explored relationships between neighbors and what builds them: photographs of the neighborhood, in color and on film, and interviews with residents. The questions were simple: “What do you think of this neighborhood?,” “Do you think you're lucky to live here?,” “What, for you, is the neighborhood's identity?,” “Do you have a special memory to tell us?”

The answers don't all point the same way, and the exhibition keeps them together. “For me, the neighborhood's identity is how close people are here,” says one voice; “everyone is squeezed into their own home and they're afraid of mixing with others,” replies another. That is the story “nous, le petit nanterre” tells.

the exhibition

nous, le petit nanterre, wall by wall

Ten panels: photographs of the neighborhood, the questions put to residents and their answers.

wall 01

“nous, le petit nanterre,” Nanterre, 2025

wall 02

wall 03

comment trouvez-vous ce quartier ?

“I feel really good in the neighborhood. I feel very much part of it. I was born here and I fully intend to stay. On the whole, we all get on well. Everyone is helpful and everyone is very warm.”

“The neighborhood leaves a lot to be desired. There are lots of things that aren't that good. If I could move, I'd gladly move.”

wall 04

pensez-vous avoir de la chance de vivre dans ce quartier ?

“I find Petit Nanterre very pleasant. For me, the neighborhood is nice because the schools are next to the housing and we have everything close by. We know the people in the neighborhood, they're kind. I think relations between adults are good. They're sometimes harder with some young people, especially when it comes to respecting the spaces for children. There are lots of scooters in the skatepark and on the sports ground.”