Considering video games as a major medium, she focuses on their extraordinary immersive properties, and seeks to push back their limits.
The outcome, crafted through the use of digital tools, results in CGI images and films, Interactive experiences, Virtual and Augmented reality.
As an artist, her personal work is consistently being shown worldwide in cultural institutions, galleries and museums, from Tokyo to New York.
As an art director, she works on commissioned projects for clients in the Luxury, Fashion, Culture & Music fields.
Mélanie also teaches video game theory at Écal in Lausanne, virtual reality at Beaux-Arts de Paris and frequently conducts lectures and workshops in an academic setting.
[SELECTED CLIENTS]
LVMH
CARTIER
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER
DOLCE&GABBANA
ORVEDA
VOGUE CZECHOSLOVAKIA
UBISOFT
TÉTIER BIJOUX
GROUPE MAZARINE
CENTRE PHI
DIXON
JENNIFER CARDINI
AGAR AGAR
MANSFIELD.TYA
LVMH
CARTIER
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER
DOLCE&GABBANA
ORVEDA
VOGUE CZECHOSLOVAKIA
UBISOFT
TÉTIER BIJOUX
GROUPE MAZARINE
CENTRE PHI
DIXON
JENNIFER CARDINI
AGAR AGAR
MANSFIELD.TYA
[SHOWS + SCREENINGS]
UPCOMING
• Gray Area, San Francisco
2024
• HEK Special Guest, Liste Art Fair Basel
• Netflix and chill, New Galerie, Paris
• Final Girl, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Anticipation Festival, La Gaité Lyrique, Paris
• Linoleum Animation Festival, Kyiv
• NIFF Extanded, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Night of ideas, Villa Albertine, Jersey city
• Distraction - Gaming Session, Confort Mental, Paris
• MAX3MIN Festival, Milan
• Biennale NOVA_XX, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Vivre l'œuvre - Voyage aux frontières de l'art immersif contemporain, Musée d'art de Pully
• Me and who?, Le port des créateurs, Toulon
• Open factory, Le Centquatre, Paris
• Néo-matérialités, Le Cube Garges, Garges-lès-Gonesse
2023
• The House of Pain, New Galerie, Paris
• DOQUMENTA, Querétaro
• Competencia VR, Festival de Cortos, Bogotá
• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Bucheon
• Transmoderna, Artsdistrict Brooklyn, New York
• Anidox, Viborg Animation Festival, Viborg
• Festival européen du film fantastique, Strasbourg
• Nuit blanche, Le Consulat Voltaire, Paris
• Animafest Zagreb, Zagreb
• Jeden svět, International human rights film festival, Prague
• It’s dangerous to go alone!, Galerie Edouard Manet, Gennevilliers
• Festival Côté Court, Pantin
• Animation First, New York
• International Film festival, Rotterdam
• Smart Fipa Doc, Biarritz
• Prenons rendez-vous, Meyrin
• Issue 5 Group Show, Studio Magazine, Zurich
2022
• La Biennale di Venezia (Mostra), Immersive selection, Venice
• Photo Mode, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Revolution V52, Caen + Marseille
• Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva
• The Art of Play, 3537, Paris
• Octobre Numérique, Arles
• London Film Festival (BFI), London
• DOK Neuland, Leipzig
• Transmoderna, NTX Museum, Amsterdam
• BLON Festival, Klaipėda
UPCOMING
• Gray Area, San Francisco
2024
• HEK Special Guest, Liste Art Fair Basel
• Netflix and chill, New Galerie, Paris
• Final Girl, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Anticipation Festival, La Gaité Lyrique, Paris
• Linoleum Animation Festival, Kyiv
• NIFF Extanded, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Night of ideas, Villa Albertine, Jersey city
• Distraction - Gaming Session, Confort Mental, Paris
• MAX3MIN Festival, Milan
• Biennale NOVA_XX, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Vivre l'œuvre - Voyage aux frontières de l'art immersif contemporain, Musée d'art de Pully
• Me and who?, Le port des créateurs, Toulon
• Open factory, Le Centquatre, Paris
• Néo-matérialités, Le Cube Garges, Garges-lès-Gonesse
2023
• The House of Pain, New Galerie, Paris
• DOQUMENTA, Querétaro
• Competencia VR, Festival de Cortos, Bogotá
• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Bucheon
• Transmoderna, Artsdistrict Brooklyn, New York
• Anidox, Viborg Animation Festival, Viborg
• Festival européen du film fantastique, Strasbourg
• Nuit blanche, Le Consulat Voltaire, Paris
• Animafest Zagreb, Zagreb
• Jeden svět, International human rights film festival, Prague
• It’s dangerous to go alone!, Galerie Edouard Manet, Gennevilliers
• Festival Côté Court, Pantin
• Animation First, New York
• International Film festival, Rotterdam
• Smart Fipa Doc, Biarritz
• Prenons rendez-vous, Meyrin
• Issue 5 Group Show, Studio Magazine, Zurich
2022
• La Biennale di Venezia (Mostra), Immersive selection, Venice
• Photo Mode, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Revolution V52, Caen + Marseille
• Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva
• The Art of Play, 3537, Paris
• Octobre Numérique, Arles
• London Film Festival (BFI), London
• DOK Neuland, Leipzig
• Transmoderna, NTX Museum, Amsterdam
• BLON Festival, Klaipėda
2021
• REFRESH #4, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zurich
• Oslo Night, House of Electronic Arts, Basel
• Palais Augmenté, Le Grand Palais, Paris
• Current New Medias, Santa Fé
• NewImages Festival, Paris
• Originelles, Galerie Charlot, Paris
• Recto Vrso, Laval
2020
• Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Barcelona
2019
• Summer Show, Galerie Lily Robert, Paris
• LVMH Pavillon, Paris
• NewImages Festival, Paris
• Devenirs Terrestres, La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris
2018
• La Biennale d’art contemporain, Lyon
• La Totale, Studios Orta, Boisy-Le-Châtel
• Tokyo Game Show, Tokyo
• Nordic Games, Malmö
• FILE, Electronic Language International Festival, São Paulo
• Les rencontres du Septième art, Lausanne
• VR Arles Festival, Rencontres d’Arles
• Huis van de Vlaamse film, Brussels
2017
• Paris Electronic Week, La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris
• NASSCOM India, Hyderabad
2016
• When objects dream, Salone Del Mobile, Milan
• Personne Publique, Galerie Pazioli, Lausanne
• Pier 17 opening, San Francisco
[RESIDENCIES]
2024
• Villa Formose Immersive, Taiwan
• Atelier Grand Nord XR (as a mentor), Montréal
• Résidence Evil II, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2023
• Résidence Evil I, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2022
• Digital Playgrounds, Villa Albertine, New York
2021
• Imprudence residency for speculative design, Paris
• La Becque, La Tour-de-Peilz
2018
• Fabbula VR residency, Barcelona
2024
• Villa Formose Immersive, Taiwan
• Atelier Grand Nord XR (as a mentor), Montréal
• Résidence Evil II, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2023
• Résidence Evil I, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2022
• Digital Playgrounds, Villa Albertine, New York
2021
• Imprudence residency for speculative design, Paris
• La Becque, La Tour-de-Peilz
2018
• Fabbula VR residency, Barcelona
[SELECTED INTERVIEWS]
• Mélanie Courtinat, créatrice de mondes numériques, Le Temps
• Mélanie Courtinat, artiste et créatrice de jeux vidéo, La Matinale, RTS
• Creating livable virtual spaces and cultivating community, Killscreen
• Il devient difficile de se souvenir d’un monde dépourvu de “numérique”, Fisheye Magazine
• Mélanie Courtinat, Tracks by Arte
• Mimo reálný svět, Vogue Czechoslovakia
• The Tenth art podcast, Ubisoft
• Le face-à-face artistique de deux gameurs nostalgiques, Le Monde
• Interview with digital art expert Mélanie Courtinat, Foward Festival
• Au GIFF, Mélanie Courtinat émeut grâce à un jeu vidéo immersif, RTS
• Créer un film en VR, c’est comme jouer avec des Lego, mais en plus magique, Usbek & Rica
• Mélanie Courtinat, créatrice de mondes numériques, Le Temps
• Mélanie Courtinat, artiste et créatrice de jeux vidéo, La Matinale, RTS
• Creating livable virtual spaces and cultivating community, Killscreen
• Il devient difficile de se souvenir d’un monde dépourvu de “numérique”, Fisheye Magazine
• Mélanie Courtinat, Tracks by Arte
• Mimo reálný svět, Vogue Czechoslovakia
• The Tenth art podcast, Ubisoft
• Le face-à-face artistique de deux gameurs nostalgiques, Le Monde
• Interview with digital art expert Mélanie Courtinat, Foward Festival
• Au GIFF, Mélanie Courtinat émeut grâce à un jeu vidéo immersif, RTS
• Créer un film en VR, c’est comme jouer avec des Lego, mais en plus magique, Usbek & Rica
[LECTURES]
2024
• Foward Festival, Berlin
• Internet Horror, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Table ronde, Musée d’art de Pully
• Table ronde, Mapping Festival, Geneva
• Développer un modèle économique durable et innovant dans les arts numériques, Women in Digital by KIKK Festival, Namur
• Chaillot Expérience : Anthropocène, Chaillot, Paris
• Don’t be afraid of video games!, Swiss interactive media design day, St. Gallen
2023
• Beyond sound, vision, Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam • Semi marathon, Worldbuilding opening, Centre Pompidou Metz
• Playing Narrative, Serbian games association, Belgrade
• Artist talk, Immersity 6, Angoulême
2022
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Photomode in video games, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Faire monde, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Video Games, beyond entertainment, 3537, Paris
• Total Conversion, Galerie Forde, Geneva
• Keeping up with web3 creation, Meta Panel, Paris
2021
• Visual Contagions through the Lens of New Media, University of Geneva
• Connecting with others, Grand Palais, Paris
2020
• Artist talk, Synthesis Gallery, Berlin
• Engaging the audience in virtual reality, Vlaams Audiovisueel fonds, Brussels
2018
• Virtual reality for creation, Rolex Forum, Lausanne
• Materials of virtual reality, VR Arles Festival, Arles
2017
• Representations of female characters in video games, Unite India, Hyderabad
2024
• Foward Festival, Berlin
• Internet Horror, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Table ronde, Musée d’art de Pully
• Table ronde, Mapping Festival, Geneva
• Développer un modèle économique durable et innovant dans les arts numériques, Women in Digital by KIKK Festival, Namur
• Chaillot Expérience : Anthropocène, Chaillot, Paris
• Don’t be afraid of video games!, Swiss interactive media design day, St. Gallen
2023
• Beyond sound, vision, Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam • Semi marathon, Worldbuilding opening, Centre Pompidou Metz
• Playing Narrative, Serbian games association, Belgrade
• Artist talk, Immersity 6, Angoulême
2022
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Photomode in video games, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Faire monde, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Video Games, beyond entertainment, 3537, Paris
• Total Conversion, Galerie Forde, Geneva
• Keeping up with web3 creation, Meta Panel, Paris
2021
• Visual Contagions through the Lens of New Media, University of Geneva
• Connecting with others, Grand Palais, Paris
2020
• Artist talk, Synthesis Gallery, Berlin
• Engaging the audience in virtual reality, Vlaams Audiovisueel fonds, Brussels
2018
• Virtual reality for creation, Rolex Forum, Lausanne
• Materials of virtual reality, VR Arles Festival, Arles
2017
• Representations of female characters in video games, Unite India, Hyderabad
[TEACHING]
2024
• Class patron, Master Immersive design & experience (IDE), GOBELINS, Paris
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Workshop, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design Film and Art, Lucerne
• Artist talk, EICAR, Paris
• Workshop, A Visual Artist's Introduction to Building Worlds in VRChat, Kill Screen gallery, Los Angeles
• Workshop, real-time game engines, Schule für Gestaltung, St.Gallen
• Diploma projects review, Master video games, ICAN, Paris
2023
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Artist talk, Amsterdam Fashion Institute
• Artist talk, Lucerne School of design, film and art, Lucerne
• Workshop, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Master Photography, ECAL, Lausanne
• Workshop, Digital presence, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Workshop, Artistic direction, Bachelor Plasticien FX, EICAR, Paris
• Diploma projects review, Master + DSAA Image media éditorial, École Duperré, Paris
• Thesis projects review, Bachelor Media interaction design, ECAL, Lausanne
2022
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist Talk, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Artist talk, Master Virtual reality, University of the Arts, London
2021
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist talk, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich
• Artist talk, Académie de Paysagisme de Versailles
• Workshop, augmented reality, Bachelor Graphiste jeux vidéo, GOBELINS, Paris
2024
• Class patron, Master Immersive design & experience (IDE), GOBELINS, Paris
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Workshop, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design Film and Art, Lucerne
• Artist talk, EICAR, Paris
• Workshop, A Visual Artist's Introduction to Building Worlds in VRChat, Kill Screen gallery, Los Angeles
• Workshop, real-time game engines, Schule für Gestaltung, St.Gallen
• Diploma projects review, Master video games, ICAN, Paris
2023
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Artist talk, Amsterdam Fashion Institute
• Artist talk, Lucerne School of design, film and art, Lucerne
• Workshop, real-time game engines and virtual reality, Master Photography, ECAL, Lausanne
• Workshop, Digital presence, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Workshop, Artistic direction, Bachelor Plasticien FX, EICAR, Paris
• Diploma projects review, Master + DSAA Image media éditorial, École Duperré, Paris
• Thesis projects review, Bachelor Media interaction design, ECAL, Lausanne
2022
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist Talk, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Artist talk, Master Virtual reality, University of the Arts, London
2021
• Teacher, history of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist talk, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich
• Artist talk, Académie de Paysagisme de Versailles
• Workshop, augmented reality, Bachelor Graphiste jeux vidéo, GOBELINS, Paris
[JURY]
2025
• Support fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
2024
• Support Fund for Videogames (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Prix Émergences, La SCAM, France
2023
• Support Fund for Videogames (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Digital experimentation & innovation awards, Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques, Paris
• Art Games Jam, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Virtual reality selection, Sehsüchte Film Festival, Potsdam-Babelsberg
2022
• Photo Mode exhibition, Ubisoft, New York
• Future Is Sensible Award, Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva
2025
• Support fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
2024
• Support Fund for Videogames (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Prix Émergences, La SCAM, France
2023
• Support Fund for Videogames (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Digital experimentation & innovation awards, Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques, Paris
• Art Games Jam, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Virtual reality selection, Sehsüchte Film Festival, Potsdam-Babelsberg
2022
• Photo Mode exhibition, Ubisoft, New York
• Future Is Sensible Award, Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva