we place creators from different disciplines in the driver’s seat
Founded by Melanie Desliens and Fanny Ostojic, Foreground designs Happenings - one-time, ephemeral cultural works at the intersection of art, gastronomy, design and wine in California and beyond.
Foreground was launched in November 2025 at Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, California.
Each Happening exists only once. It is never repeated or reproduced. Invited guests and partners are not spectators but contributors to the moment.
As cultural institutions and traditional formats evolve, Foreground offers a contemporary way to activate culture.
To do this, we place creators from different disciplines in the driver’s seat.
FEEDBACK
ABOUT US
Both founders, Melanie and Fanny, have dedicated their careers to advancing culture in the arts and cinema.
They have successfully shared their passions, and with Foreground, they aim to carry this mission forward in an unprecedented way.
melanie desliens
Melanie Desliens is a founding member of Villa Albertine San Francisco, has served on its jury since inception, and sits on the boards of the Villa Albertine foundations in New York and Paris. She previously held the position of President of the French-American Cultural Society (FACS).
Melanie holds Master's degrees in Marketing from both French and American universities. She previously held a senior role overseeing strategic partnerships at Ubisoft in the United States.
As a writer, she explores innovation through the lens of art history, with a particular focus on new technologies, alienation, and human consciousness. Her work is published in New York-based White Hot Magazine.
In 2021, she was awarded the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture.
fanny ostojic
Fanny Ostojic is the founder of The Good Fairy, where she brings ambitious film and tv projects to life. She has worked on productions featuring icons like Monica Bellucci, Xavier Dolan, Olivier Assayas, Jude Law and Nicolas Cage, with budgets ranging from $1M to $20M.
Fanny holds a degree from HEC Paris. She began her career in New York City, where she spearheaded the organization of Bastille Day, a major French festival in Manhattan that attracts over 40,000 attendees annually. Transitioning into the film industry, Fanny worked in sales and acquisitions at Gaumont, followed by an executive role at Wild Bunch, where she collaborated with renowned filmmakers.
Fanny also works as a consultant for the Nouvelles Vagues Film Festival in Biarritz as their AI Partnerships and Strategy Lead
OUR PARTNERS
launch
Pre-launch Happening
at Atelier Crenn,
Nov 15th 2025
Artists List:
Dominique Crenn — 3-Michelin-star Chef, Atelier Crenn; first woman in the U.S. to earn three stars
Scott Tixier — Violinist, six-time Grammy Award winner
Mark Baugh-Sasaki — Sculpture
Chloe Bensahel — MIT resident, Tapestry
Manuèle Bernardi — Sculpture
Champagne: Telmont
Wine: Hamel Family Wine
Guest Speaker : Candace Huey, re.riddle
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS
Sonoma
Invisible House
