Street Art at the Petit Palais? Mais Oui!

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Street Art at the Petit Palais? Mais Oui!
Street art on show at the Petit Palais? It might sound unlikely, but it’s true and it’s proved so popular that the exhibition, We are Here, has just been extended until January 19th. So, if you like the idea of discovering urban art among the classical statues and romantic paintings of the museum’s permanent collection, then you still have time to go and see if for yourself.  It’s an attention-grabbing idea. Some 200 works, all commissioned especially for this exhibition, are on display, representing many of the biggest names in street art from across the world: Shepard Fairey, Invader, D*Face, Seth, Conor Harrington, to name just a few of the 60 artists represented here.  In this Belle Époque building, where the City of Paris displays the cream of its art collection, these urban artists are exhibiting their graffiti and their subversive takes on current issues. Annick Lemoine, director of the Petit Palais and co-creator of the exhibition, explains that “the hanging of these monumental works of street art in our superb 1900 building is sure to surprise and amaze our visitors.”   Petit Palais. Photo: Marian Jones The shock is immediate. Perhaps you know the Petit Palais and can picture the sculpture gallery which leads from the entrance hall, with its carved stone ceiling, frescoes and rows of majestic statues. Imagine then, that to enter it now you must first pass a giant spray can, one of the tools of choice of the new artists who’ve been invited to share the space, those whose stated aim – printed large on the can, in case you were not aware – is to “create, annoy, destroy.” Across the back, in large letters are the words “Stops Rust.” Boundaries, it seems to say, will be pushed.    Spray can at the entrance to the exhibit. Photo: Marian Jones Intriguingly, the newly imported works are scattered amongst the statues and paintings which are usually here. Some are immediately arresting: Seth’s Napoleon is drawn in the style of a child’s Playmobil figure, recognizable only by his tricorn hat as he sits staring down into a deep well. Or is he on top of a cloud? Either way, his surroundings are pink, white and (mainly) blue. Perhaps a “corruption” of the tricolore colors? A little later comes a female version, wearing a hard hat in a similar setting, but where pink is the dominant color. I only realize she represents Marianne when I read the painting’s title.   
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Lead photo credit : Petit Palais. Photo: Marian Jones

More in invader, Museum, Petit Palais, Seth, Shepard Fairey, street art

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After a career teaching Modern Languages (French and German), Marian turned to freelance writing and is now a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, specializing in all things French and – especially! – Parisian. She’s in Paris as often as possible, visiting places old and new, finding out their stories and writing it all up as soon as she gets home. She also runs the podcast series City Breaks, offering in-depth coverage of popular city break destinations, with lots of background history and cultural information. The Paris series currently has 22 episodes, but more will surely follow when time allows!

Comments

  • Joanne Baer
    2024-10-31 06:47:16
    Joanne Baer
    How to join your podcast series " City Breaks"?? Thanks, Joanne

    REPLY

    • Marian Jones
      2024-10-31 09:01:18
      Marian Jones
      Bonjour, Joanne. Thanks for asking. There are 2 ways which should be easy. If you type City Breaks into any site where you get other podcasts, it should come up. Or, go onto the website - www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk - and choose the Destinations menu in the top right corner. Choose your city, then click any episode and the sound file for that episode is there, near the top and you can just click 'play'. Hope you enjoy it!

      REPLY