“Tell me what you stand for, and together we’ll turn the world inside out” ~ JR
Back in October I wrote about my excitement that French street artist JR was putting up a mural right here in Washington, D.C. Since then, JR has traveled the world with his global participatory “pasting” art project “Inside Out” (if you don’t follow Inside Out on Istagram, you should!). Last month, he took over Time Square in New York City, in an attempt to reclaim the space for the people and hosted a special Inside Out project with fellow Ted Prize winner Jamie Oliver on Food Revolution Day. Today, his work is the topic of a documentary “Inside Out: the People’s Art Project” which premieres May 20th, at 9PM on HBO (ET/PT).
The documentary, which screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, follows JR’s career from his start as a graffiti artist in the streets of Paris to his more recent (and political) pasting works in war torn countries like Palestine or earthquake ravaged Haiti. It’s a glowing testament to the power of images, particularly those of oppressed populations. By printing their pictures on large black and white photographs and pasting them in public spaces, he aims to empower them but also show that they matter and that art can transform lives. I can’t wait to watch it! I hope you’ll tune in to HBO too…
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