Saturday, February 03, 2007

Mural mural on the wall...


I found this painting (painted directly on the wall) on the Quai de Jemmapes in the 10th arrondissement (where there is a canal). I took this shot from the other side of the street because I wanted to be sure to have the two lamp posts in the frame. No idea who the artist(s) is(are); if one of you knows, don't hesitate to enlighten us all...
Update (26/02/2007) : thanks to my faithful readers, I've discovered that it is Gil Bensmana who made this mural. He calls it "Attempt to escape n°6".

41 comments:

  1. Love the running man! Do you have a close-up of the small squares underneath each running figure? Just curious.

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  2. What a great mural! I wonder what the runners destination might be?

    TPD,
    I checked out your blogsite. The photos are excellent. I have added you and Lulu to my daily regulars.

    I can't wait to read the next witty comment by Michael, Le Magnifique.

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  3. Oh, my - they sure grow them umm...healthy in France these days ;-)))

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  4. On dirait le début du cinématographe, quand un mouvement singulier était décomposé en une succession de clichés stromboscopiques.

    Bon courage pour ta participation au festival. Nous comptons tous sur toi/

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  5. SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!! wooh! Go CHICAGO BEARS!

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  6. Eric, in England we would probably say "this is the dog's bollocks" (which means it's pretty darned good!). I'm guessing that an arrondissement is the equivalent of a ward, or electoral district here; a portion of the city that a elects a councillor or representative (deputy). Hope I am right.

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  7. Excellent mural! It has a funny touch.
    I wonder if the woman is a known person in Paris...

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  8. You're quite right JonnyP. When Michael awakens, we may even discover who the Mystery Woman is, and what the runners are fleeing from !!
    Eric, monsieur, we are all on the Edges of our Seats, just like waiting for the smoke from the burnt votes at the Vatican.
    Albeit, this is a far more important contest !

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  9. Well, I'm sorry to report that I cannot find this mural anywhere. Maybe Haxo knows if he comes around. I made this photo my desktop however!

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  10. Extraordinary Picture! This mural is pure art.

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  11. Michael,
    It must be on the Canal St Martin, and on the Eastern side.
    The Quai de Jemmapes (along the canal), must be 1, 1/2 kilometres long from Metro. Jaurès in the North, and heading south. I suppose that you know that already. It's a damn nuisance, not being IN Paris. You should have borrowed Eric's scooter for the weekend !! Anyhow I would love you to look at this site and tell me if you have seen one in Paris.

    http://www.mp3.piaggio.com/index_eng.html

    Go to rare video clips and etc. Love to hear your response, monsieur.

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  12. M. benault - yes, I've seen these in Paris (a few) and actually thought, "I could even probably drive one of those scooters if it has 3 wheels!" It will have to wait for another lifetime though. I'm too afraid of falling! :-( Maybe Eric can take a photo of one for us.

    Haxo, I'd love to know who it is that painted the mural and if there's any significance to it, or any others by the same artist.

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  13. Been following u (secretely) for a while, am not planning to quit. Keep up the good work. The mural reminds me of Bansy's style (http://www.banksy.co.uk)

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  14. Well all, I hope that someone finds out who the artist is. I'm heading out to Singapore tonight (home of Zannie, Keropok Man and Raymond). I'll try to check in from there and hopefully be able to congratulate Eric after his win.

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  15. That is GREAT! I love sidewalk art - and really wish I had the opportunity to view more of it!

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  16. Magnifique... It's sssooo French and lovely :-)

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  17. Love this mural - especially the expressions on the faces when you maximize the photo. We have a similar one in Downtown Los Angeles painted on the side of the freeway - something to look at while going two miles per hour stuck in traffic (although ours are wearing clothes).

    I also wonder who the women are in the little squares beneath the runner.

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  18. Well, Beta is still making my life difficult. I just did my taxes, so my brain is slightly scrambled. Take line 23 from line 62 unless you had a nervous breakdown during March of 2006. However,line 62 needs you to complete form 70A unless your dog is a female. Then use form 70D. LOL

    I do hope Michael and Haxo will solve the mysteries surrounding the "running men" soon.

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  19. Excellent shot, Eric. I need to return to that area of Paris this spring (I'll be in Paris for only one day 1/2, though...).

    May you and the Chicago Bears win this weekend!

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  20. I'll look for it next time I'm in Paris. It's so cool.

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  21. A very strange photo indeed. as graffiti goes, it's a good one.

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  22. Hi, thanks for the warm welcome! I've really been enjoying your site, and hope I can make mine half as good!

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  23. Haxo, I wonder, maybe it's Quai de Valmy. I'll check tomorrow when I come back to Paris (I have other photos of this but I don't have them with me because I am in Romans now.)

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  24. Happy that de Romans is a place. As you know, I thought it was a festival of novels. Maybe it would have been written "Festival des les romans"? Oh my, when will I know more French? Meanwhile, congratulations, Eric.

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  25. OK, that's good stuff you found there!! Looks like the first lampshade was painted, right? I like it!

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  26. Love it. Absolutely love it! Perhaps the woman is his ex and he's desperately trying to get away from her? He looks rather like she's trying to place a champagne bottle...where it would hurt...a lot.

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  27. Vous les trouverez quai de la Marne, dans le 19ème, 200 m avant d'arriver au parc de la villette. Derrière ce mur, c'est un bâtiment d'une société de chauffage urbain. On voit son immense cheminée de loin (blanche et bleue), et juste après, vous avez l'ancienne voie de chemin de fer de la Petite ceinture qui traverse le canal. Bonne promenade le long du canal !!

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  28. Hmm, it reminds me of Banksy too.

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  29. It's normal, this district abounds in pleasant surprises... Thanks

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  30. pour l'artiste c'est gil bensmana.. un artiste urbain ... :))

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  31. Hey everyone, I think that cexhib is right. Here's a link to other works of art by Gil Bensmana and his homepage here.

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  32. Wow! I just got an email reply from the artist saying, "Hello....
    In fact yes it is one of my "tentative de fuite" 06"


    Well keep up the good work Gil...it's excellent!

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