Paris Street Art

Paris, while known for its grand monuments, famous statues, and well-manicured gardens, possesses a quirky side as well through its Street Art.  This is the result of the younger generations wanting to continually make the city theirs.  It is a city of art and expression, old and new.  There is something for everyone, and this complexity and duality is what makes the city so beautiful.

Street Art (art urbain en français) is a contemporary art movement, where different forms of art manifest in public spaces.  This art is quite diverse and can vary from graffiti and murals to mosaics and sculptures. 

Paris exhibits some great examples of Street Art.  My favorite was this mural covering half the wall of a building which rested next to an old church.  It was a unique interplay of old and new, showing that both were beautiful and not necessarily exclusive.  I happened to be there at night, which gave an air of mystery to the face. 

I found this next example of street art around the corner from the Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre, which is one of the many extremely touristy parts of the city. 

Street Art can also be interactive, something with which the audience can play.  Here is a large chalkboard and a world map.

To me, Street Art is much more than a graffiti tag; there is an expression behind it.  It takes thought and makes the audience reflect.  In Paris, the relation between old and new is what makes this art so special as it adds to the beauty of the city, alongside the famous and ancient monuments.