Discover the 4th Edition of Saint-Germain-en-Laye’s Biennial Street Art Festival: In and On the Walls

Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) wants to position itself as THE city of street art, in French: urban art. For several years, it has embarked on an active policy of promoting this contemporary artistic movement by organizing an event every two years.

A policy that continues in 2023 with the organization of the fourth edition of its biennial street-art Festival, called “In and on the walls”of June 12 to 17.

To oversee it all, she called on Osaro agency, bringing together artists, artistic directors, technicians, whose activity is centered on the visual arts, in particular graffiti. Specialist in events around thecontemporary artshe provides artistic direction and coordinates the production of two monumental frescoes.

On the facade of Espace Vera

The first will be created on the façade of the Espace Vera (2, rue Henri IV) by the visual artist and self-taught graffiti artist from Versailles, Jean Rooble.

Inaugurated on Wednesday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m., it is an “ode to the painting of Paul Vera in which the reclining female figure occupies a central place, indicates the municipality.

Its realization on a historic building leads the artist to innovate by using mineral paints in compliance with the constraints of preserving the old built heritage, in the heart of the protected perimeter.

The second should see the light of day on one of the gables of the Pierre Delanoë space (2, place Victor Hugo).

“Through this work, the artist Matt Graf, wishes to make young generations aware of cultural and artistic practices that promote openness to the world. Realizing this fresco on the facade of the Pierre-Delanoë space, a social living space, takes on its full meaning. Its inauguration is scheduled for Saturday, June 17 at 11:30 a.m.

“The portrait as an artistic identity”

These two achievements will complete the two monumental frescoes already paying homage to Claude Debussy and Alexandre Dumas which have already been created, respectively rue de la Procession and Place Erignac, in the Bel-Air district.

“Since 2018, the historical portrait has drawn the common thread of the biennial street art festival. It was therefore decided to define “the portrait” as the unique artistic identity of the biennial street art festival”, explained the City during the presentation of the contract with the Osaro agency.

To the starting theme, came to be added that of the women artists that Saint-Germain-en-Laye will honor, in particular with the presence of the artists Lima et Foal.

Population-oriented actions

As part of this contract, the amount of which amounts to €43,450 including tax, financed to the tune of €15,000 by the regional council of Île-de-France, Osaro will organize highlights and implement “action mediation for schoolchildren, young people, families and City staff”.

His approach is resolutely oriented towards open-mindedness through cultural discovery. A path that involves meeting talented artists and discovering innovative techniques and concepts. Because today’s young people are tomorrow’s actors, the Osaro agency offers awareness workshops, fun and educational moments supervised by professional artists.

This is not the first time that the City has called on this agency. In 2021, a partnership resulted in the creation of a fresco paying homage to Maurice Denis. It was carried out at a public electricity distribution station located at 1, rue Saint-Léger.

On electrical or telephone cabinets

More recently, it was again the Osaro agency which had been commissioned by the City to produce portraits of famous people on electrical or telephone cabinets.

As part of this project, the Artist Rast has already made more than ten paintings of characters linked to the history of the town. Molière, Alexandre Dumas, Jeanne d’Albret, Jacques Tati, Madame Campan, but also Louis XIV, Henri Cochet or Madame de Montespan have thus already come to life under the expert paint sprays of this 30-year-old street artist, practicing for 15 years.

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