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    An Expanded Edition of JR’s Monograph Recounts the Power of Socially Engaged Art

    All images © JR, courtesy of Phaidon, shared with permission

    An Expanded Edition of JR’s Monograph Recounts the Power of Socially Engaged Art

    October 4, 2024

    ArtBooksSocial Issues

    Jackie Andres

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    Traveling to different regions across the globe, French artist JR envisions grand projects that call to humanitarian issues and collective action. At the forefront of his practice is a persistent query, rooted in a palpable yearning for change and strong belief in the power of art.

    JR: Can Art Change the World? chronicles the artist’s phenomenal range of participatory efforts, from mural-laden buildings to photographic installations to performance art. Originally published in 2015 and later updated in 2019, an even newer edition featuring a half-decade of JR’s latest works is slated for release by Phaidon later this month. The 2024 version includes a whopping 390 photos and illustrations, as well as a foreword by George Lucas.

    Among the four new chapters included in the expansion, you might recognize more recent projects such as “Tehachapi,” a poignant collection of murals focused on the lives of incarcerated individuals, and impressive optical illusions from the artist’s ongoing “Trompe l’œil” series.

    Pre-order JR: Can Art Change the World? in the Colossal Shop to be one of the first to page through the monograph.

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    Artist Retrospective: JR

    French artist JR has the largest art gallery in the world. Thanks to his photographic collage technique, he exhibits his work free of charge on the walls of the whole world – attracting the attention of those who do not usually go to museums.Currently, his most common method to create street art is through the use of wheat pasting and gigantic mono photographs. He often gets his subject models faces with a 28mm wide-angle lens which result in portraits that unguarded, funny, soulful, real, and that capture the spirits of individuals who normally go unseen. His work of art brings forward common everyday materials to the light.Mural In New York City, USA, 2012These blown-up images are then pasted on urban surfaces such as the sides of buildings, bridges, rooftops, and even trains. Not only do they confront the public audience, but they also help engage audiences where they least expect it. Often introducing those who are unfortunate in the world to the remaining population in the world. JR combines powerful social statements through large murals and installations.Check out below to view more of our compilation on JR’s best works.New York City, USA, 2016JR featured a picture of Lauren Lovette from the New York City ballet on this piece from 2016. The French artist created this beautiful artwork showing the famous dancer in motion against a background composed by a monochromatic building.JR have worked with New York City Ballet last 2014. He used the language of dance to tell his version of the riots in the Clichy-Montfermeil district. He created The Groves, a ballet and short film, the music for which was composed by Woodkid, Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams, and which was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival.Mural in Los Angeles, California, 2019This mural is a gigantic collaboration with JR for Branded Arts Maya Angelou Mural Festival which happened in Los Angeles, California. As part of JR’s Inside Out Project 2019, the French artist create a large installation with hundreds of portraits that were taken at the school.Sculpture Installation in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2016In anticipation of the Olympic Games 2016 opening this weekend in Rio De Janeiro, JR unveiled a series of giant installations featuring notable athletes.Sculpture Installation in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2016Mural in Tokyo, Japan, 2013 in the event of his exhibition entitled “Could Art Change The World?” at The Watari Museum of Contemporary ArtMural in New York City, USA, 2012Mural in Berlin, Germany, 2013“The Chronicles of New York” in New York City, USA, 2020This mural is a part of a series he has made cross Brooklyn in connection with his Brooklyn Museum exhibition, JR: Chronicles last 2020. For this mural, titled “The Chronicles of New York”, he photographed over 1,000 New York residents and reproduced them at a monumental scale on the side of stacked shipping containers in Domino Park, adding to the stunning views of the Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.Mural at The National Library of France in ParisCheck out our #JR page for more stunning works from talented artist! More

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    JR Unveils Massive Outdoor Mural In Domino Park, His Largest To Date In Ny

    The Brooklyn Museum unveiled the renowned French artist JR’s new massive outdoor mural in Domino Park in Williamsburg. This the latest mural in a series of murals he has made cross Brooklyn in connection with his Brooklyn Museum exhibition, JR: Chronicles currently on view. For this mural, titled “The Chronicles of New York”, he photographed […] More