Paris celebrates urban art

With Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the elegant green spaces of the Jardin du Luxembourg, the regular perspectives of Haussmann-era buildings, and more, Paris is an ode to classical architecture and aesthetics. However, for decades, urban art has also found an unparalleled medium for its imagery throughout our city. Popping up in the newest districts as well as on century-old facades, this mode of expression has proven that it has its place in the Parisian public space. That’s why it’s a totally natural development for a retrospective to take this interest in street art, place it in the context of the evolution of society and throw it open to the widest possible audience. This is the whole aim of the exhibition entitled Capitale(s): 60 Years of Urban Art in Paris. Discover it during your stay at the Hôtel des Tournelles!

A multifaceted exhibition

To celebrate urban art, a simple museum exhibition was not enough. So, in addition to taking over the Salle Saint-Jean of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, a fifteen-minute walk from the Hôtel des Tournelles, Capitale(s): 60 Years of Urban Art in Paris is adopting a multitude of initiatives in the urban space. Displays in the city's media libraries, ephemeral works in the Tunnel des Tuileries, and creations presented in the playgrounds of the 13th, 15th and 19th arrondissements will be accompanied by a number of conferences and screenings. Participatory artistic workshops will also be organised for adults with Posca, while the Musée en Herbe will offer activities aimed specifically at young audiences. All information is on the event website.

Immersive experiences

On the site of the Hôtel de Ville will be grouped key works that have marked the journey of 60 years of artistic expression through the urban public space. Of course, the works of the great personalities of Parisian street art, such as Jacques Villeglé, Swoon and Miss Tic will be prominent along the exhibition route, as will many archival documents. Capital(es): 60 Years of Urban Art in Paris will also offer two immersive experiences. The first, conceptualised by three artists, Kraken, Madame and Kashink, leads you in search of a secret room in which three original works are exhibited. But this piece is entirely virtual, just like the creations, and can only be discovered by scanning QR codes. Finally, Cristobal Diaz invites you to enter his Graff Box. You will discover the creative process in real time, the beauty of movement and the magic of the moment when the line is born. These two immersive experiences, combining art and technology, reflect the relevance of street art and its questioning of current societal issues and challenges.

Capital(es): 60 Years of Urban Art in Paris is a major, ambitious and fascinating exhibition. You can experience it in your own way and at your own pace. Please note that if admission is free, it must be booked in advance. Consult the event website to plan your visit during your stay at the Hôtel des Tournelles.      

******

Photo: lenisecalleja

Hotel Les Tournelles, a 3-star hotel in the heart of the Marais