Spray can in hand Andrea Ravo Mattoni recreated masterpieces. He brought the Louvre to the Tuileries tunnel. This is Le Tricheur Streetart. It is art for everyone.
Le Tricheur Streetart is found in the tunnel des Tuileries. This tunnel once echoed with cars. In 2016 the quais became pedestrianized. The city wanted to beautify the tunnel. It was to be a space Parisians could reclaim.
Nicolas Laugero Lasserre directed the art. He is the director of ICART. He is co founder of Fluctuart. He is the president of Artistik Rezo. He brought together ten European street artists. They created ten monumental works. The space is 860 meters long. It stretches from the Concorde to the Pont Neuf. The art was on display until July 2023.
The tunnel became a playground. Artists created over 2000 square meters of frescoes. Each piece was between 40 and 80 meters long. The art was part of the Cultural Olympiad of Paris 2024. Pierre Rabadan supported the project. He is in charge of sports for the city. The themes were the Seine the Louvre and the Olympics.
The exhibition design was like a museum. There was signage and lighting. Abstract and figurative works alternated. The curves of the tunnel enhanced the experience.
Artist Sifat painted in the tunnel. He said it was exceptional to work in central Paris. People thanked them for brightening their daily commute. Parisians and tourists used this route. They avoided cars while crossing the city center. The colorful art attracted walkers cyclists and riders.
Le Tricheur Streetart displays a panorama of street art techniques. Collage spray paint and stencils were all used. Madame created a monumental collage near the Pont Neuf. She used magazine photos from the 1920s to 1950s. Her wordplay connected light and dark. This referenced the Louvre and invited reflection.
Bault drew inspiration from the Louvre’s antique objects. WAR created a spotted feline. It resembled a Paleolithic cave painting. It came from a reflection on the Egyptian department.
Andrea Ravo Mattoni directly referenced Louvre masterpieces. He used aerosol paint. Details came from works like Jean Baptiste Oudry’s Missé and Turlu. These are Louis XV’s greyhounds from 1725. He also used Jean Baptiste Regnault’s The Origin of Painting. Another source was Francesco Trevisani’s The Infant Jesus. The red background symbolized art history.
Lek and Sowat honored Jacques Villeglé. He died on June 6 2022. They were the first graffiti artists admitted to the Académie de France in Rome. They wrote his name in their latest typeface. It stretched 60 meters. Villeglé mentored them. Dedicating this work to him felt natural.
Romain Froquet reinterpreted the Olympic rings. This was in anticipation of the 2024 Paris Olympics. He explored connections. This allowed everyone to reclaim the universal symbols.
Erell drew inspiration from the Seine and metro line 1. Jussi TwoSeven depicted a running wolf. This recalled Eadweard Muybridge’s motion studies. The wolf combined Finnish and Parisian symbols. It was both city and nature.
Sifat often visited the Stravinsky fountain. He combined its colors with those of the Centre Pompidou. He also used Olympic colors. He created dynamic lines by riding his scooter. He wanted to bring joy to passersby. They could enjoy the art while moving or standing still.
Hydrane created the largest work. It was 80 meters long. It was near the Concorde entrance. It dazzled cyclists no matter their speed.
The tunnel was once unknown and almost apocalyptic. It is now a street art destination. It delights urban art lovers. It surprises those who venture inside. Le Tricheur Streetart is waiting for you.