Friday, August 14, 2009

Paris space Invaders


I've been willing to show you this strange phenomenon for a while but I never managed to get a good photo of it. It? The little Space Invaders (you know this game that was so popular in the 80s...) that are to be found in many places in Paris (and now, not only Paris actually...). They originate from a guy we know very little about, who decided one day to "invade" the city with these little men... They are made of tiles and strongly glued to the walls (it's impossible to remove them without breaking them). Like he says "Some people call me a polluter, others say I'm an artist. I prefer to think of myself as an invader". His site appears to be a little dormant, but you still can have a better idea of what he does. BTW, I took this photo in Montmartre opposite to the Moulin de la Galette, the other day.

37 comments:

  1. I feel sorry for the people who's buildings are permanantly affected by the invader with no choice in the matter. Its visually cool, but really selfish.

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  2. IMHO.

    Sorry, I'm not trying to be controversial. I just had a brief unrestrained strong feeling!

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  3. Eric, I love the B&W/Color effect of this photo! Welldone!

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  4. It is much bigger than that. Followers are all around Paris and even here in London. (all french followers of course)

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  5. Space Invader, I LOVE him! I have been photographing his work in Paris for 3 years now. Every mosaic he does is different. Different colors, sizes and designs. I have even seen his work in London.

    On the way from CDG to Paris, I even saw a huge red space invader on a bridge.I don't know whow he does it, as so many are put so high up and out of reach. What people WILL do is try to remove them to keep for themselves.
    Didn't we see some together, Cali?

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  6. I rather like the little critters, but then I enjoy computer games. Eric, lovely capture of light and shadow.

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  7. I see your point, Carrie. This sort of thing being 'good' is very subjective. I like it, but wouldn't want it on my building.

    Eric, you've shown one of these creatures before, no? I know I've seen one somewhere else.

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  8. That is so interesting about this invader guy! It looks like he cares how his "installations" look, because it is level (unlike the sticker art below it. A lovely shot by lamp light... not quite the same type scene Renoir painted in the area, eh? Ah, contemporary and always charming Paris!

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  9. I agree. It's rather fun and cool, but at the same time, it IS vandalism.

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  10. They are nice, but I wish he would ask first; I'm sure that there are so many places who would clamor for such an original piece of artwork. If this happened to the side of my house, I might be upset.

    But on the whole, very interesting!

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  11. Is it art? pop culture? a fascinating experiment in public secrecy? totally narcissistic and thoughtless? all of the above? I have NO idea, but I do love your photo and links, Eric!

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  12. Interesting questions...The New York Times art reviewer this week gave a front page art review on a grafitted wall in Soho .

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  13. This photo has an unreal feeling due to the old style lamp post and the dark of the night shattered by the brilliant colors of the tiles. Carrie makes a really good point, one I hadn't considered before, but I have to say I am fond of these little critters thanks to Phx. I can't see Space Invaders without thinking of her! Thanks Eric for making it possible for me to have met some lovely people (you know who you are!).

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  14. These little invaders are great (IMHO). I remember seeing them when I lived in London.

    They are like graffiti - great to look at, but not on your own building! ;-)

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  15. Cool photo, especially with the old lamp juxtaposed with the colorful creatures. As much as I like to see interesting graffiti around Paris, I do agree that it's a tough not to call it vandalism (if it was done without the consent of the building owner). Like PHX, I'm definitely guilty of photographing lots of graffiti though. Tough call. I did recently come across the kind of graffiti that I can completely encourage, which is done by cleaning! If anyone's interested, here's a video of an installation that was done in San Francisco:

    reverse graffiti

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  16. Katie, I loved what I learned from the video.Thanks, and thanks to cali.

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  17. The graffiti issue lives on. These critters are multiplying. Like cute little rabbits. Like cute little rats. Bacteria. OMG they're here in my house! Crawling in under the door. It, it's on my foot, increasing by the second, moving up my.....AHHHHHHHH!

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  18. And now for something completely different.

    I met a Parisienne tonight at an art gallery party. Her boyfriend is a Minneapolis artist, she visits regularly. She educated me about a sundial on the wall of the Conciergerie. (NOT graffiti.) Next time, I'll look for it.

    I also met several people who were at the Bastille Day 14 July fireworks at le Tour Eiffel. In fact, they own the gallery. And their curator is very pretty. Hmm, do you think I'd be a good match for an art gallery curator with fabulous taste in clothes?

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  19. Fascinating video, Katie! Thanks for posting the link. Another way to think about the issue...

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  20. Great photo Eric. I too have seen the invader's work everywhere during my four years here in Paris. He must have hundreds of artwork around Paris and I love discovering new ones. It certainly adds a touch of colour to some otherwise dull surfaces.

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  21. You've chosen a gorgeous little example of this guy's works, Eric. Very illuminating.

    I find the graffiti debate tough, too. Graffiti, like all art, can appeal to one person and repulse the next. So does it just boil down to whether it's fair for people to mark something that's not theirs, even if it beautifies or adds interest? I personally think it would be respectful for someone to ask first - the graffiti may be welcomed with open arms, but at least there's a choice about it. Also just IMHO. :)

    Like Cali, I, too, am grateful for the lovely people I've met here. Thanks, Eric!

    Jeff ~ are you familiar with the expression, "Go for it"?

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  22. It would be respectful to ask first but, as history shows, 'Invaders' don't usually seek permission beforehand!

    Jeff, remember the saying, "You don't get into a girl's heart by thinking about it." (or something along those lines)

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  23. I'm with Carrie. The whim of an artist does not fly with me. Adding/altering someone else's property is selfish. Let the invader finance his own building in a major city and he can decorate it all he wants.

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  24. Jeff, it seems to be a cool encounter you've nicely shared a bit with us. :)

    LOL Drummond but I'm sure it depends on who thinks of who? My heart always goes to the one who makes me think I am someone important to his/her eyes and helps me to believe in it! Hard work I think... But I swear I (will) pay all my debts ! ;)

    I'd love to be invaded by some of these tiles which could feed me with any thing I need at any time. LOL

    Have to go swim now!

    Ps : I'm stunned by your culture in graffitis ( special mention to PHX)!!! I wish I could see more of them by myself but don't know what my eyes are looking at when I walk in Paris...

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  25. Maybe I am a stick in the mud, but I don't really give too much credence to this type of "street art". In fact, I really cannot call it art since all he does is glue panels that have someone else’s creation on them. If he was the guy who originally penned them for Atari, it might be different. Even then, to me you must "create" to be considered art, even the alternative types.

    Now take Miguel Donvez or Jérôme Ménager with his stenciled white forms...they are making some attempt to be original....and maybe 100 years from now someone will be interested in learning more about them. The Invader? 100 years from now they are just going to ask why there are random Atari logo’s on some walls….


    Sean

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  26. Eurostyle: It would be hard to condense the History of Art into a few sentances, but suffice to say there are a multitude of examples in art of an out and out copy of another work of art. It is how you make it your own. Manet's Luncheon on the Grass was influenced by Giorgone, the same with Manet's Olympia based on Goya's nude on a sofa.Not to mention Duchamp's Mona Lisa print with the added mustache.
    The meaning of Graffiti today? I'm putting something together, but a little art history goes a long way! Enjoy. THANK YOU ERIC for giving me this new interest!!!!!

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  27. Bonjour Oceane! (Or bonsoir where you are now?!)

    Its only after reading everyone's comments that I went back and read the caption and realized that this guy says he doesn't consider himself an artist, but an invader. (Hence, you're no stick in the mud, Eurostyle!) I guess the graffiti issue (by definition) really has to do with where an image is put, rather than whether any particular person feels it is "art". His statement, though, makes me wonder why he's really doing it. And, how many other people doing graffiti could be that honest. (And I like the image, myself.) Thanks again, Eric, for a good discussion.

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  28. Bonjour, Oceane. How was your birthday?

    Jeff -- et pourquoi pas? A farmer never plowed a field by turning it over in his mind. So carpe diem.

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  29. Hello Carrie, hello Alexa,
    I've just read your comments and think I have to clarify about Eric's sister name:
    I don't think that yesterday Eric told us that his sister's name was Oceane as mine! And I am not his sister :)
    Actually I think that Eric answered to one of my questions concerning his sister age (I wondered whether she was older or younger than him) and he wrote
    'Ma soeur (who's an older soeur Oceane)...'. Maybe Eric should have used a coma before my name ;)
    Well anyway, I'm glad you like it!

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  30. Great photo Eric!, and the issue of graffiti is difficult... urban art? vandalism? ... is there a limit somewhere? your wall or mine? ... interesting.

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  31. Moi aussi, love the invaders! Took many photos of them in Paris, have also seen them in Amsterdam :-) Thanks for the great photo!

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  32. Thanks - now understand what I'm seeing on the corner of Rue Jacob behind St Germain

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  33. These little critters have nodded and winked at me many a time on my nocturnal strolls around the city and to be honest, not currently owning a classic Parisian building as of writing, I like them. Is it art? Is a photograph of them art? What is art? Something no-one has done before? The space invader was, as someone said, created by Atari, was it? Putting them on This guy is the only one who puts them on Parisian walls, however. It's difficult to be totally origingal these days...

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  34. i love when people engage in their environment. i saw this exact one when i was in montmartre!! so strange to see it here! i have a similar photo!

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  35. I also mention them twice in my blog this week (tuesday 1rst and wednesday 2nd) ... The guy copies pieces of art (like the Joconde or Warhol's soup cans) with rubick's cubes !!!

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