“That’s a strange sight, isn’t it?” Right before your eyes is the Les Abeilles Mural. It’s a burst of color in an otherwise ordinary setting. The mural was commissioned by a company called Axe Etanchéité, who wanted to brighten up the wall around their headquarters. The artist, Pierre-Laurent Tois, also known as “LOOP”, comes from the world of graffiti. This mural was one of his first forays into large-scale outdoor murals. He later went on to design other murals, custom furniture, and other art installations. Axe Etanchéité, as their name suggests, deals with waterproofing. Perhaps that’s why the mural features such lush, tropical vegetation and a giant amphibian perched on the entrance gate! It certainly evokes a sense of humidity and moisture. As for the bees, their significance is a bit more enigmatic. What do you think they represent? Interestingly, Axe Etanchéité was so happy with LOOP’s work that they commissioned him again in 2011. He created another mural with the same theme on a nearby building they occupied in Fontenay-sous-Bois. It seems art and commerce can make for a beautiful partnership, don’t you think?
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.