Perhaps you’ve heard of Agnès Varda. She was a celebrated photographer and filmmaker. Now, feast your eyes on the Agnes V. Mural. It pays tribute to this iconic artist.
The Agnes V. Mural was created in July 2020 by Jean Baptiste Colin. He is a French artist known as JBC. JBC often uses warm colors and plant elements in his murals. This choice reflects the importance of the tropics in his imagination. It stems from his travels in Latin America.
The Agnes V. Mural is a long fresco. It honors Agnès Varda. From left to right, you can see different aspects of her life and work. First, there’s Agnès Varda herself. She lived from 1928 to 2019. She was a photographer and film director. Next, there’s a reference to “Cléo de 5 à 7”. This is a film by Agnès Varda released in 1962, starring Corinne Marchand. Then, you’ll spot a lion. This represents “Le lion volatil”. It is a short film by Agnès Varda with Julie Depardieu from 2003.
On the right side of the Agnes V. Mural, you’ll find characters from Agnès Varda’s film “Daguerréotypes”. This 1975 documentary was filmed between numbers 70 and 90 on Rue Daguerre. That’s just 200 meters from here. “Daguerréotypes” focuses on the shopkeepers of Rue Daguerre and the magician Mystag.
Agnès Varda lived and worked in the 14th arrondissement for about 50 years. Her studio was on Rue Daguerre. It was painted pink. Her love for this area is well known. She documented the street’s inhabitants in her 1976 film. In 2003, she filmed a short surrealist rom-com, “Le Lion Volatil”. It featured the Lion de Belfort and the Catacombs.
The Musée Carnavalet in Paris held an exhibition called “Le Paris d’Agnès Varda, de-ci, de-là”. It showcased her photographic work. It highlighted the importance of her courtyard studio on Rue Daguerre. She lived and created there from 1951 to 2019. Paris played a key role in her free and abundant work. She combined documentary and fiction. The exhibition featured 130 prints and film excerpts shot in Paris. There were also publications, documents, and objects that belonged to her. Even a sculpture of her cat Nini was displayed.
As you stand before the Agnes V. Mural, remember Agnès Varda’s words. She said she waited until something was strong enough to disturb or inspire her to make a film. That’s how she ended up making a documentary on her own street. Now, this mural immortalizes her legacy. It celebrates her unique vision and contribution to cinema.