More stories

  • in

    The shadow series by Levalet in Paris

    Here is a collection of images from Levalet’s latest series, an ongoing project that the French street artist is delivering to the streets of Paris. The play between shadow and reality is evident in these life size paste ups, a gap between will and ambition, or simply between present and future of the subjects caught in a moment of their lives. Levalet is not new at all to a critical commentary on our society, over the years he has developed a personal style resulting from an acute observation of reality, while always maintaining a poetic and never cynical gaze.One of the defining aspects of Levalet’s art is its thematic depth. His creations touch on a wide array of subjects, including societal norms, human relationships, and the daily struggles of urban life. Each piece tells a story, inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue about the issues he addresses.This “shadow” series can thus be added to one of the recurring themes of the topics he deals with,the exploration of human identity and the masks we wear in society. Through clever juxtapositions and visual metaphors, he challenges viewers to reflect on their own roles in the urban drama unfolding around them. Take a look at more images below and check back with us soon for more updates. More

  • in

    New Mural by PichiAvo in Bayonne, France

    In the city of Bayonne, PichiAvo, the renowned Spanish artistic duo, has once again graced the urban landscape with their latest work of art. This captivating mural, presented as part of the Points de Vue Street Art Festival, pays a heartfelt tribute to Glaucus, the Greek sea god. The mural seamlessly intertwines with Bayonne’s profound connection to water, creating a visual spectacle that encapsulates the city’s spirit.Bayonne, strategically positioned at the confluence of the Adour River and the mighty Atlantic Ocean, has a long history intertwined with the elemental force of water. The city’s development and character have been significantly influenced by its relationship with these aquatic surroundings.The mural is unveiled as part of the Points de Vue urban art festival, a cultural celebration born in 2017. This festival is the result of collaborative efforts between the Basque Country Urban Community, the Bayonne town hall, and the KAXU gallery. Points de Vue stands as a testament to Bayonne’scommitment to urban art and culture.This event is not just a festival; it’s an open-air gallery that extends its reach beyond Bayonne, encompassing the entire region. Attendees can explore the city’s streets, gazing upon monumental frescoes that adorn the walls or embark on a treasure hunt for hidden artistic gems, further emphasizingthe synergy between art and the urban environment.PichiAvo’s tribute to Glaucus, the deity of the sea, beautifully exemplifies this artistic fusion, as the mural not only pays homage to Greek mythology but also resonates with the city’s intrinsic connection to water. It’s a vivid testament to the timeless interplay between nature, art, and culture. The Points de Vue Street Art Festival has created a vibrant platform for such expressions, ensuring that Bayonne continues to be a canvas for artistic inspiration and an ode to the ever present element of water that has shaped its unique character. More

  • in

    Mural for Amnesty International by Mahn Kloix in Paris, France

    Art to celebrate the courage of human rights defendersIn the 12th arrondissement of Paris, a wall is now dedicated to the defense of human rights. The fresco, created by Marseille street artist Mahn Kloix, celebrates through six portraits the courage of human rights defenders who fight every day around the world for our fundamental rights.It is a long wall, 20 meters long and 5 meters high, on which six portraits burst out like screams. A few thin lines of white sharp on a dark wall and faces supported or constrained by friendly or hostile hands. One adjusts a veil on the head of lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. The other is placed on Doctor Mukwege’s shoulder. Still others hide their eyes, obstruct a mouth, support a face, a neck. Hands as signs of solidarity or oppression towards the courageous human rights defenders celebrated by this wall, the first dedicated to human rights in the capital. A symbolic space made available by Paris City Hall to celebrate freedoms, promote fundamental rights and fight against all discrimination.Discover the stories of the six human rights defenders they have chosen to highlight :Nasrin Sotoudeh, Iranian figure in the defense of human rightsA prominent lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh has become an emblematic figure in the defense of human rights in Iran. Known for her long-term fight against the death penalty, she has also distinguished herself in recent years for having defended women who defy discriminatory laws imposing the compulsory wearing of the veil in her country. Because of her human rights work, which has lasted for more than ten years, she has been persecuted by the Iranian authorities. In 2012, she received the Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament. In 2019, she was sentenced to 148 lashes and 38 years in prison. She is currently still detained in Evin prison in Tehran and continues to risk her life to defend the lives of others.Doctor Mukwege, the man who repairs womenNobel Peace Prize winner in 2018, Doctor Mukwege is internationally known as the man who “repairs” women. During the twenty years of conflict that shook the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of women were raped. Faced with these atrocities, Dr. Mukwege leads an incessant fight. Her fight: operate on these women whose bodies have been mutilated and denounce the impunity enjoyed by the guilty. Through his care and compassion, thousands of victims of rape and other sexual violence have been able to overcome their physical injuries.Despite an assassination attempt, death threats and attacks against his family, this exceptionally courageous doctor continues to campaign against sexual violence committed during conflicts. Although he travels all over the world to share his testimony, he now lives cloistered in his country, in the Bukavu hospital where he works, under the protection of the peacekeepers of the United Nations mission. But he is no longer alone in his struggle. Women, whose physical integrity he restored and helped to regain their dignity, are now fighting alongside him.Chelsea Maning, US Army whistleblowerChelsea Manning was a member of the United States Army. She was working as a military intelligence analyst when, witnessing human rights violations, she decided to leak thousands (700,000!) of confidential army documents that pointed to possible war crimes committed by the US military, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. For this courageous act, she was arrested in June 2010 and then placed in detention. In 2013, she was tried by a United States court martial and sentenced to 35 years in prison. After seven years in prison, the former WikiLeaks informant was finally released in May 2017, before being imprisoned again in March 2019. The reason: she refused to testify about Julian Assange before a grand jury. On March 11, 2020, two days before a hearing which was to rule on her refusal, she again attempted suicide in prison. A judge finally ordered his release the next day.Malala Yousafzai, incredible courage in the face of the TalibanMalala Yousafzai embodies the fight of millions of children and girls: that of the right to education. When she was only 11 years old, young Malala began writing a blog under the pseudonym “Gul Makai” for the BBC. She tells from her point of view as a little girl about daily life under the rule of the Taliban in Pakistan. In October 2012, the Taliban attacked his school bus and shot him in the head. This attack sparked a wave of international indignation. Seriously injured, she was transferred to the United Kingdom for treatment.Malala is an example of incredible courage. In 2013, she received the highest distinction granted by Amnesty International, the Ambassador of Conscience award.So here I am… one girl among others. I speak — not for me, but for all girls and boys. I raise my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those who have no voice can be heard. Those who fought for their rights: Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equal opportunities. Their right to education.Malala Yousafzai, at the United Nations General Assembly, July 12, 2013In 2014, at just 17 years old, she won the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the youngest winner in the history of this prize.Malala is still a refugee in the United Kingdom today and continues her fight for the education of children around the world.Greta Thunberg, Fridays for FutureIn 2018, the world heard about Greta Thunberg for the first time. A Swedish teenager who decided to skip school every Friday to protest in front of the Swedish Parliament until it takes strong measures to fight climate change. Since then, his initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the climate crisis, has spread like wildfire across the world. With her, millions of young people around the world took part in the “Fridays for Future” school strike days. Protests took place in more than 100 countries, including Australia, Brazil, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, the Philippines and Uganda.Acting according to your conscience means fighting for what you believe is right.On several occasions, her activism led to her being arrested: in Germany during an anti-coal demonstration, in Norway during a demonstration with the indigenous Sami people for the demolition of wind turbines declared illegal because they encroached on reindeer pastures; etc. In 2019, the climate change activist received the 2019 Ambassador of Conscience Award, the most prestigious award given by Amnesty International to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage in defending human rights .Angela Davis, icon of the feminist and anti-racist movementsAngela Davis was born on January 26, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Coming from an African-American family, she experienced racism and the system of racial segregation very early on. With her parents, she discovers the horror of slavery that marked her family. In the predominantly white neighborhood where her family settles, she discovers the horror of the Klu Klux Klan. Very early on, his political consciousness was formed. Very quickly, her destiny took shape: she would become a figure of feminism and anti-racism.The battles of his life are multiple: against the prison system, police brutality, the death penalty and all forms of oppression. Icon of Black Power, she became a Marxist activist in post-Cold War anti-communist America, but also a symbol of the fight for the release of political prisoners. As a result of her activities, Angela finds herself on the FBI’s wanted list. In the 1970s, when she was arrested and thrown in prison, public opinion sided with her and a “Free Angela Davis” support committee was created. Many personalities showed their support: from the Rolling Stones, who dedicated the song Sweet Black Angel to him, to John Lennon and Yoko Ono who sang Angela. Around the world, protests are taking place to demand his release. She was finally released in 1972, free of all charges.Throughout her life, Angela Davis also fought for the rights of women, particularly black women. For her, feminism is intrinsically linked to racism, and some people find themselves at the crossroads of oppressions. Black women must therefore fight simultaneously against sexism and racism. This is what we call the intersectionality of struggles.Even today, at a time when America continues to face police violence and Black Lives Matter, it continues to fight for minorities and against all forms of oppression. More

  • in

    Helen Bur in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

    UK based artist Helen Bur has just completed a new painting in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France. Entitled “Shift of the centre” the mural, approx 12x9mt, was painted for the Boulogne-Sur-Mer street art project organised by Amziane Abid. With a strong connotation linked to the concept of motherhood and revaluation of one’s ego, a mother draws a new center around her child, to signify new boundaries of one’s love and one’s perspective.Through her art, Helen Bur shows that beauty can be a catalyst for change, inspiring individuals to take action and make a positive impact on the world around them. Each piece tells a story, encapsulating the essence of the neighborhood it inhabits. Her murals often reflect the history, culture, and aspirations of the community, forging a connection between the art and its surroundings. This ability to bridge the gap between art and life is what makes Helen Bur’s work so magnetic. Her unique blend of creativity, storytelling, and social consciousness has redefined the boundaries of art, showing that the streets can be both a canvas and a stage for meaningful expression. With every stroke of her brush and every splash of color, she unveils the soul of the city, inviting us all to look deeper, think harder, and embrace the beauty that surrounds us, even in the most unexpected of places. Take a look at more images below and check back with us soon for more updates. More

  • in

    Sophie Mess in Laon, France

    Here’s a new amazing mural painted by Sophie Mess in Laon, France during the Urban Art Festival organized by Christian Guemy, aka C215. A gigantic floral composition of about 15mt x 10mt built on a 5-storey residential building. Sophie’s mural joins 16 other monumental frescoes brought together to create an exceptional event, which enriched the walls in the Champagne and Montreuil districts. At the same time, an indoor exhibition, presenting the richness and different facets of the urban arts can be discovered in the cloister and exhibition hall of the Saint-Martin Abbey.Sophie’s stunning mural communicates the usual willingness to flourish and express the truest and most colorful version of ourselves. Her vibrant botanical-inspired artwork radiates energy and life, resonating with a deep connection to nature, capturing its essence through bold color, intricate detail, and imaginative perspective. Take a look at more images below and check back with us soon for more updates. More

  • in

    “The Peace of Urtaca” by David De La Mano in Corsica, France

    Prolific muralist and painter David De La Mano recently finished his latest mural entitled “The Peace of Urtaca” in Corsica, France.“This mural as a sequence speaks, like other of my murals, of the human condition.”This mural is a proposal from the artist’s friend Fabian Flori, director of “popularte_l_arte_fora_di_cita”, and it deals with war and proposes a mutation from weapons to olive trees, and from soldiers to conscious people.David de la Mano is a Spanish contemporary artist best known for his stunning murals often featuring silhouettes, trees and other monochromatic imagery. de la Mano is a versatile artist who excels from drawing to sculpture. The artist experiments with different techniques among which acrylics, watercolours, ink and collage.His art highlights a vision of humanity with a lot of metaphor and poetry. He is often playing with shadows and lights, forms and contrasts to convey his vision of the world to us.Scroll down below for more images of the mural. More

  • in

    “Community” by David de la Mano in Rostrenen, France

    Spanish artist David de la Mano recenlty shared photos on his latest mural project entitled in Rostrenen, Brittany painted during the artist residency at La Fourmi-e.The mural entitled “Community” represents a group of people who organize against oppression or injustice. The sticks represent your strength and determination to fight for your rights and resist any form of injustice, violence or discrimination.The unbreakable will to fight for your rights.Together, they demonstrate their empowerment and strong commitment.David de la Mano is known for his large dystopian murals featuring human and animal silhouettes, a minimalist style and his monochromatic use of black. David de la Mano creates distinctive artworks which are symbolic reflections on humankind and reminiscent of dark fairytales. The single anthropomorphic figures of the artist gather together and unite in an eternal and recurring movement; the individuals become the mass and vice versa, and they are driven by their dreams, ambitions, fears, vices, hopes, and internal conflicts.
    Take a look at more images of “Community” and stay tuned for more street art updates from the around the globe.Credits Geoffroy, Cinthya Guyot, Alan, Gwenn, Lorette, and La Fourmi-e team. More

  • in

    “SOIN – Struttura G076” by Giulio Vesprini in Roune, France

    “S O I N – Struttura G076” is Giulio Vesprini’s first anamorphic work made in Rouen at the Santé Rouen Normandie Health Campus curated by Olivier Landes of Art en Ville and curated produced by Métropole Rouen Normandie. A very complex work that develops on two sides, generating two distinct points of view. Side A and Side B.The mural is part of the many initiatives for the candidacy of Rouen capital of culture 2028. A beautiful experiment of art and architecture in a difficult space like this underpass. SOIN means care, the care of a space thanks to urban art that makes an important district of the city. You can see the complete wall only if you stop at a precise point.Check out below for more photos of Giulio Vesprini’s latest project.
    Curated by: Olivier Landes / Art en villeCommisionned by: Metropole Rouen Normandie / Rouen 2028Team: Hobz + Sa.va.ti + SerenaPhotos: Jean-Pierre Sageot More