This evening (Saturday) I popped into the L.J. gallery for the opening of an exhibition by Olivier Kosta-Théfaine, a graffiti artist. I'm sure that if he had been told, say, 15 years ago when he used to hijack the walls of the suburb where he used to live (Sartrouville) to paint graffiti, that he would one day end up in a gallery (and the Cartier foundation!) he would not have believed it. It's well deserved though, he has talent. Have a look at the Gallery site (click on the image to view more) or the Cartier foundation one.
I hate graffiti, especially when it's ugly and defaces private property, but I love graffiti art. It's a fine line, but this is a cool example.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the artist should exhibit some talent, or at lest wit. (Eric, you have both btw)
ReplyDeleteWhere is everyone?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I like his colors and the dial languages. But what's with the bars?
Dual languages... too late to think.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fun to see, Eric. A photo friend of mine from here was just in Paris on holiday with his wife and posted a lot of photos of the graffiti at the Cartier foundation, which I just looked at this morning. Then you mention it here tonight. He also shot a photo in the Trocadero area of a small "Invader" piece, which you introduced me to through your photo and I had told him about a few days ago. Coalescing worlds, eh? :-)
ReplyDelete-Kim
We are on the same wavelength today. I was looking at several books full of San Francisco's street art today. Some of it is unfathomable (as in how they accomplished it).
ReplyDeleteI love this view, with the vibrant colours popping out from the white and black. And I like the irony of seeing graffiti behind bars. {Not saying it should be - ouch, I felt that, Phx!}
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Alexa, GF! I am presently selecting the perfect colour of spray paint for your crown.
Wren -- that was just Eric and me being alone again—this time for a whole 6 hours. :~}
ReplyDeleteShell -- thanks!
Some graffitis have unforgettable phrases. Street truth.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Valery
Barcelona Daily Photo
Trujillo Daily Photo
Alexa, whatever did you find to do in 6 hours? ;) That's a lot of Ludo.
ReplyDeleteI like the sign on the left but what a shame and waste of space to repeat it in English on the right. Surely no need. I'd have preferred to see some artwork.
Frankly, the words don't do anything for me at all, whether French or English. In the Gallery site, the sculptures and pattern pieces are more interesting. Second graders enjoy using a different color for each letter in a word, but are not rude enough to write on public walls. I'm open to hearing what makes this art. Anyone?
ReplyDeleteI told Cali, in a private email, that I was going to Foundation Cartier on Wednesday, then voila! Eric has a post on it.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of artisits who just use words alone in their work, like Jenny Saville.
PHX - what serendipity!
ReplyDeleteKim "A photo friend of mine from here was just in Paris on holiday with his wife and posted a lot of photos of the graffiti at the Cartier foundation," Interesting to know, I did not think they would let people take photos, so I did not go to the Fondation Cartier... Now I know I can go.
ReplyDeleteI actually missed a Graffiti tour, held by the foundation before the summer. I did not call early enough.
I agree with most of you when you say that graffiti deface our buildings, but I must confess that in some places (ie art galleries LOL!) I love them.
Hey! First time on this page and it's a real surprise for me. Nice pics!
ReplyDeleteIts really wonderful and watchable. I like to share it with all my friends and I am sure they will like it.
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