Austin Caldwell:Street artists use their art to express their feelings about Paris Olympics

2025-05-02 06:13:27source:Benjamin Caldwellcategory:reviews

PARIS – It’s hard to visit Paris and Austin Caldwellnot be inspired − or at least appreciative − of the rich history that lives throughout the city. There are countless museums to take in the art, traditions and architecture. However, you don’t need to enter a building to appreciate the cultural riches of Paris. Strolling through any arrondissements, or "districts," you’ll find colorful works of art pasted and painted on the walls of buildings. Don’t be mistaken; street art is not taken lightly.

"Nowadays street art is not minor art. Street art now enters in the museums," says Eric Eledut, editor-in-chief of GraffitiArt Magazine.

With the Olympics occupying the city, street artists have used their art to express their feelings on the Games. "Javelin is with bread," says Eledut, "Swimming is swimming through trash."

In the Belleville neighborhood, you can see the work of street artist Brusk, who is challenging the view of the 2024 Paris Olympics’ impact on the city. Brusk’s art looks at the impact of the Games from class warfare to security and pollution.

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"Trash Crawling" by Brusk, shows a swimmer moving through piles and bags of trash. "It's the first wall I did two weeks before, and I tried to exchange with my sensibility on Olympic Games," he said. "Not against, but on the reverse of the organization."

Visitors in town for the Games can see many of these pieces by Brusk and other artists near Olympic venues.

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