If you’re visiting Paris this summer, you’d be a fool to miss this! Born in the Streets is an exhibition exploring the history of graffiti and street art. Long considered a low-end art form, graffiti was a cult phenomenon resigned to those on the streets. However, changes over the last few years have seen art dealers and collectors snapping up sections of wall that were once scrubbed clean. The art of tagging, a form of graffiti often dismissed as unimaginative, is focused on with a study displaying tags throughout Paris.

Curated by Fondation Cartier, the exhibition is a departure from the jewellers’ usual domain. However, the exhibition fills the entire space inside the Fondation, even spilling into the gardens of the building. Born in the Streets is complemented by a collection of events such as film screenings and live art competitions. There is also a selection of tours around Paris so you can spot some of the best street art the city has to offer.

If you’re a fan of graffiti, you’re bound to enjoy the show, which features art from some of the greatest artists from the last four decades. Expect to find work by mainstream graffiti legends like Basquiat, Keith Haring, Fab 5 Freddy and Futura alongside the more low key artists like Basco Vazko, JonOne, Olivier Kosta-Théphaine, Barry Mc Gee, Nug, Part 1, Evan Roth, Boris Tellegen/Delta, Seen, Vitché, Gérard Zlotykamien, L’Association Le MUR, Cripta, Coco 144, Quik, Koor, Toxic, Alan Ket, Charlie Ahearn, Manfred Kerchheimer, Maripol, Paris Joao & Roberto Wainer to name but a few. Photography by Henry Chalfant, who documented the Graffiti movement during the eighties, is also exhibited.

To sum it up in a few words, if you only see one exhibition this year, it should be this one.

July 7 › Nov. 29, 2009

Born in the Streets

Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
 261 boulevard Raspail
75014 Paris, France

Published by WAH Magazine.com

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