At the Senate Orangery, Man Mélé! took on a dimension that Cécile Vernant could not have fully anticipated before the doors opened. As the days went by, the exhibition became a space for encounters, conversations, and exchanges between artists and visitors. Surrounding the artworks, discussions revolved around Martinique and nature, but also memories, cultures, and sensibilities from far beyond the island. The calm before the crowd arrives Every morning, Cécile Vernant arrived before the park opened at 11 a.m. The garden was quiet. She would pass joggers, watch the tai chi groups among the chestnut trees, and enjoy the scent of the flowers. She loved this “calm before the storm.” A few hours later, the atmosphere would change. Cécile Vernant estimates that the Orangerie, which is about 600 m², could accommodate up to 400 visitors at its peak over the course of three to four hours. The busiest day reportedly