At 59, rue de Rivoli (1st arrondissement), it has been a tradition since the official creation in 2009: the Haussmannian facade of this squat, which hosts around thirty artists, is also a work of art.
But in recent days, in addition to the colorful and joyful installations, a call for donations has been added to save this institution.
“Like all artistic venues, we have suffered enormously from the Covid-19 crisis.
We have been forced to close since March 2020. That is to say, we have not had any visitors for ten months.
However, we operate without any subsidy and only thanks to the participation of visitors who enter for free and who give a piece at the exit ”, specifies Gaspard Delanoë, who was behind the creation of the place and who today coordinates its operation.
With 40,000 annual visitors, it is one of the most visited contemporary art exhibition venues in the capital.
Eric Le Mitouard
In November 1999, with two other companions, they occupied this building which had then been abandoned for eight years.
Quickly, the 40,000 annual visitors, attracted by this extraordinary place, made it one of the most visited contemporary art exhibition places in the capital.
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor PS at the time, without family relationship with the squatter, attentive to this momentum, bought the building in the name of the municipality.
The 59 was saved.
A precarious financial situation
"But today, we have to face each year 80,000 euros in costs for its operation," said Gaspard, taking on his accountant's hat. In addition to the 50,000 euros provided by the monthly contribution of the 30 resident artists, 10,000 to 15,000 euros come from partnerships, shootings or events which could be organized there and which could not take place. "The rest is the hat, our petty cash at the exit, where people give what they can," says "the boss" of the place.
Young visitors, often students, have been back since May 19.
“They take selfies on the stairs and in the workshops.
But they don't have a lot of money.
We miss the American, Russian or Chinese tourists who are used to paying 20 euros to enter a museum, ”notes Gaspard, who is obliged to go through this appeal for donations from Parisians… but also from his most famous neighbor.
Donations to be made until June 20
“Yes, we wrote to François Pinault, our new neighbor who opened the Bourse de Commerce 250 meters away, another place of contemporary art,” admits the team of artists at 59, who even recruited Pierrick, a friend, to take care of this call for donations. This Friday, the letter left: “Thank you for your passion for contemporary art. We know that passion has no limit. It would be great if you made a gesture to help us ”. The letter has not yet received a response. But Pierrick has to raise. "We believe in it", assure the artists with varied talents who would have their place in the collections of the rich Breton collector.
For Parisians, it is on the site at 59, rue de Rivoli and on Hello Asso that they will find the links for their help. For three weeks, 140 donors have already contributed 10,000 euros. There are still two weeks, until June 20 to pass the 30,000 mark ... As for the city, it has exempted tenants of six months from an already very low rent. “We cannot ask for more from the municipality,” admits Gaspard.
Manon, 20, a law student, came from Versailles with a friend. “I saw the ad. I am going to give. If we want to help this place, now is the time to do it. It is open to all. It's full of so different universes, ”she sums up. Audrey, 18, student in psychology, came to discover the place to her friend, would like to participate, too. “But we're all in a bind. I don't know if I will be able this time, ”she apologizes.
In good years, the 59 could accommodate nearly 70,000 annual visitors on its six floors.
In addition to the great opportunity to slip a coin or a note, the place is more than ever worth a detour.
During the second confinement, the artists of the 59 Rivoli collective undertook the renovation of all the frescoes.
“After almost two years without change, the stairs were completely repainted with new colors, new shapes,” says Pierrick.
A production day and night - for some - during the six months of closure, which allowed eleven artists (permanent and temporary) from 59 Rivoli to re-enchant their house.
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59, rue de Rivoli (Ier), is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
