Inside Out: My Photographic Encounters with JR's Global Art
In the world of contemporary art, few figures are as enigmatic and influential as the French artist JR. Known for his large-scale photographic installations that challenge perceptions and provoke conversations, JR has left his mark on walls and buildings around the world. Over the last seven years, I’ve been slowly collecting a number of his pieces, and recently, I jumped at the chance to participate in one of his renowned Inside Out projects in Geneva, titled "Hope Away From Home.”
Inside Out Geneva: Portraits of Resilience
The Geneva project was marked by the occasion of the Global Refugee Forum, which brought together state leaders and refugee community leaders to find lasting solutions for refugees and their host communities. The portraits of refugee community leaders attending the event were pasted on Geneva’s historical walls, which have provided protection and safety for people forced to flee from persecution for many centuries.
The project extended an invitation to passersby to have their portraits taken. Although my image didn’t make it up onto the wall, I was still able to participate, with the printout coming home with me instead.
Exploring Other JR Works
JR's work extends far beyond the borders of Geneva. After truly discovering JR in 2018, when I bought a 99prints collaboration with Oliver Jeffers, my journey with his art took me to various locations, each telling a different story through his unique lens.
Inside Out Project: Nepal 2015
The earthquake of April 25th, 2015, was a devastating moment in Nepal's history, claiming around 9,000 lives and leaving a trail of destruction. Yet, amidst the rubble and grief, there emerged a compelling narrative of resilience and unity, which I witnessed on a trip in November of that year. While JR wouldn’t fall onto my radar for another couple of years, I did capture his "Hope for Tomorrow" project, set against the backdrop of Swotha Square in old Patan, within the Kathmandu Valley.
San Gimignano's Rural Tales: Omelia Contadina
While in the grips of COVID-19, I was lucky enough to be invited to San Gimignano by Galleria Continua in September 2020, to encounter "Omelia Contadina," a project that highlights the struggles of small farmers in Italy. Watching the project live was not just a visual spectacle but also a powerful social statement, intertwining rural life and art in a poignant narrative. Discover a selection of images from that project.
The Parisian Gaze: JR's Iconic Eyes
Paris, JR's canvas and playground, is home to some of his most iconic works. Leaving Paris by train offers the chance to capture the larger-than-life eyes that gaze at those passing through. These installations are more than art; they are windows into the soul of the city.
A Personal Milestone: Proposal at Clichy-Montfermeil Chronicles
Perhaps the most personal encounter with JR's art was proposing over breakfast while arranging the 93 cards that came as part of a box set focusing on JR’s "Chroniques de Clichy-Montfermeil" installation. The story has a bit more background to it, but at a high level, we arranged the cards from the artwork, creating a unique setting for a question with lifelong consequences. This artwork, which depicts the life and resilience of the suburbs of Paris, became the backdrop of our own life-changing moment—and is now framed above my sofa.