Where would we (and the world) be without Didier Gallon? Artist, actor, and all-around Visioneer, Didier is Starfish Taylor’s veteran graphic facilitator and unfaltering atmosphere boosting aficionado. He’s our ‘satellite’ mainstay and estimable creative performer, who has built many bridges between the paths he’s walked and the industries he’s traversed. Growing up around Paris, he naturally took the route of the [eclectic] artist, (more on that later): a route that has taken him to several extreme highs, to some contemplative lows, to numerous continents, and more than once, to the core of his intuition. Although Starfish Taylor may only be a fragment of his story, it is an ongoing chapter that is well worth the read.
Between Chris Holy, Peter Day, and Didier Gallon, a perfectly balanced trine is formed – like three musketeers, each brings forth their own unique ingredients and essences to the Starfish Taylor methodology and spirit. The trine formed in 2014. But it was back in 2001 where Chris Holy and Didier Gallon first connected. Along with fellow New York-based graphic facilitator, Stephanie Corne, the three of them worked on a team a part of the Accelerated Solution Environment at Capgemini. This workshop became the first of several splashes, creating an orbital ring of ripples.
Didier Gallon: Artiste Éclectique
Didier’s artistic timeline is not what one would call linear. Over the course of eight years he studied at both, ENSAPC [ENG: National Superior School of Fine Arts – Paris Cergy], as well as École Théâtre – Béatrice Brout where he trained as an actor and developed his skills in cinema. That being said, during and in between his studies, his life was taking all kinds of twists and turns…from student to teacher to student to actor, amidst other actors of the world economy – as when he began graphic facilitating – to film actor to painter…the list goes on. Why mention all of this?
Didier’s myriad experiences and seasoned expertise in not one, but several artistic fields, has enabled him to determine what’s important in his life. During our discussion for this piece, Didier did not bother to pinpoint the minutiae of his “career path”; rather, he expressed himself with a humble overview—elucidating an all-encompassing synopsis of his path’s various ebbs and flows with simplicity.
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He values authenticity of character and depth of field – where fewer layers or filters exist between him and someone else.
He appreciates the bridges he’s been able to build between cinema, acting, and graphic facilitation.
And he cherishes his ability to travel the world doing something he likes, with people he also admires the most.
Graphic Facilitating with the Starfishes
2014 was a good year. The year “los Pescados” became a little wittier and richer in color and spirit. The year Didier met Peter and reconnected with Chris – the year the three musketeers were formed.
When graphic facilitating, Didier implements a range of what he calls, “common codes” like cartoons or characters from cinema.
“I play with these codes and roles to help others relate to the bigger concept(s)…if you want to help the client, you have to take the risk to hold the problems…” – Didier Gallon
Life Eclectic
Outside of graphic facilitating, Didier has contributed his artistic skillset to two publications, has acted in numerous short feature and long feature films, and is an active member of the film company, SUNRUN Films. Among other things…
In terms of influences, Didier is a huge fan of George Grotz and Pierre La Police, and notes the Dada Art movement in general as being a sort of linchpin to his creative blossoming. As previously mentioned, Didier really knows how to brighten an atmosphere. He’s strung together some fabulous mixes and helped curate others for various workshops. You can find him listening to artists like Lauryn Hill, Roy Ayers and Jil Jilala to name a few, but his taste spans across multiple generations. Find his contributions to our Artist Profiles Eclectic Mix on our YouTube channel – along with several other Starfish Taylor mixes customized for various aspects of a workshop session.
