The Colors Festival returns for its second edition until Sunday, May 8.
In total, 68 French and international artists have taken over a disused building in the 11th arrondissement, 27 boulevard Jules Ferry, to let their creativity speak.
Street artists, painters, photographers and illustrators have radically transformed the 700 square meters of this building steeped in history.
Former stables for towing barges from the Seine, it also served as a foundry for the metal structures of the Eiffel Tower.
"It's not a place that adapts to the project but quite the opposite", insists Combo, recognized urban artist and director of the Colors festival.
On the walls, the ceilings, the stairs and on the floor we find, among others, works signed by figures in the field such as Brunograffer, Cocolvu, Levalet, Petite Poissone, Pierre Terdjman, Sabrina Beretta or WRDSMTH.
The only constraint to respect this year: working with Majorelle blue as the common color and a touch of bubble gum pink.
Colors festival April 19 - Artist Sax's splatter paintings of animals "carry an ecological message about the situation of endangered species".
LP/Candice Doussot LP/Candice Doussot
A fun and immersive experience
It's hard to believe and yet, here, everything was painted, graffitied and installed in the space of just five days.
Like the giant fresco of a thousand colors by Farid Rueda, an internationally recognized Mexican artist.
Considerable work according to Combo: “We are very lucky that he came for this event, he hardly ever travels to Europe.
It only took him four afternoons to paint everything, it's really impressive to see him at work.
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As far as the organization is concerned, everything is managed by volunteers since this exhibition is neither subsidized by the State nor by an association.
“It allows artists to be totally free and not to have to be accountable.
The works can disturb, amaze or shock,” describes Combo.
Committed, participative, fluorescent or even XXL in size, the works arranged on four floors constitute a real immersive and playful journey punctuated with references to pop culture like the familiar faces of Nina Simone and Elvis Presley.
Tearing paper to discover a camouflaged work, turning paintings, composing your own motif: the experience offered is unique and evolving.
"Those who visit the first days of the exhibition will not see the same thing as those who visit at the end",
colors festival
Art accessible to all
What is certain is that this second edition is a full box.
According to the director, admissions will exceed 30,000 from last year.
“We realized last year that people need to see that.
We could double the number of days, but we think that five weeks is enough, we absolutely want to preserve this ephemeral aspect”.
Indeed, like last year, after the last day of the exhibition, everything will be destroyed.
The mantra of the organizers since the first exhibition “to make culture and art accessible to all”.
It is with this in mind, moreover, that the mornings are reserved for school visits at bargain prices.
"This year we have also set up a special area for children with animators," says Combo.
The direct link between the artists and the public was also honored for this edition with live painting during the weekends and nights every Thursday evening.
Colors festival April 19 - With this installation, the artist Dugudus criticizes with humor and provocation the "phallic dictatorship" and patriarchy.
LP/Candice Doussot
ColorsFestival
- Visible until May 8 inclusive, 27, boulevard Jules-Ferry (XI).
Entrance from 5 to 15 euros, free from 0 to 2 years old.
4 live performances per weekend.
