“Imagine being a face in a crowd. Now, imagine that face, your face, blown up large and pasted for all to see. That’s the essence of Inside Out Painting.
Inside Out Painting in Turin. It was part of a global art project. The French artist JR conceived it. It’s a participatory art project. It has spanned over a decade. It has appeared in over 140 countries.
The Inside Out Project has united hundreds of thousands of people. They share a desire. They want to spread a collective message. This message defends diversity. It defends civil rights. It defends the environment. It defends equality.
In Turin, Inside Out Painting highlighted social fragility and inclusion. This reinforced the themes of the exhibition “JR. Déplacé·e·s”. The Inside Out project brought attention to these themes. Migrant communities of the city were the protagonists.
In April 2023, a customized van appeared in Piazza San Carlo. It sat on the corner of Via Santa Teresa. This van acted as a mobile photographic studio. People could have their portraits taken inside. The shots were printed immediately. They were printed on poster paper.
The portraits were then displayed. Some were in the museum courtyard. Others were in the area of the square. They were right in front of Gallerie d’Italia. The work was on display for a few days.
The Inside Out Project isn’t just about pasting photos. It is a platform. It helps communities worldwide. They can stand up for what they believe in. They can spark global change locally. Group Leaders organize actions. They display large-scale portraits in public spaces. Together, they create public art.
JR used his art to give a voice. He wanted to reach audiences excluded from art. He wanted to improve values. These values include freedom. They include imagination. They include creativity. They include collaboration.
He traveled to crisis zones. He visited war-torn Ukraine. He went to refugee camps. These were across the African continent. He aimed to understand intolerable conditions.
JR’s Inside Out Project started after he won the TED Prize in 2011. He used the prize money to empower communities. They could speak through portraits. These portraits were pasted in public spaces.
The Inside Out Project swept the globe. It had many actions across many countries. People brought public art to their communities. They made a difference.
So, as you stand here, think about the power of a single face. Think about the power of art. It can bring people together. It can amplify voices. It can transform public spaces. That’s the legacy of Inside Out Painting.”