When he received the TED Prize on March 2, 2011, JR asked himself the question: “Can art change the world?”. Drawing on his own artistic practice, large-scale photographic installations and engaged public art, JR launched INSIDE OUT. The initiative invites individuals around the world to convey a message by lending their faces to be displayed in the street. Each action echoes the voices of participants from all over the world, exploring identity and memory, initiating conversations and building bridges between different communities. Without realizing it, JR is launching the world’s largest artistic human connection operation.
JR uses art to change the world
In 2022, the Pays de Valois wants to share in this wonderful story, with the message “Valois émoi”. Inhabitants of all ages, men, women and children, attached to their environment or who have made their commune shine in one way or another, are invited to pose for INSIDE OUT.
Enthusiastic, the Valoisiens are delighted at the idea of highlighting their region with their faces printed on a large 90 x 135 cm poster, reworked at the JR studio in New York. Four ephemeral exhibitions of their portraits will be set up across the region. Less than half an hour from home, all Valois residents can visit these 100-meter-long frescoes and experience the emotion that runs through the Pays de Valois.
Has art changed the Pays de Valois?
A year later, a book entitled “Monumental Valois – INSIDE OUT Exhibition – November 2022” was published to leave a lasting imprint of this collective memory. It can be found in the 62 town halls of the Pays de Valois, and in the homes of all those who carried the “Valois Emoi” (Valois and me) message. They are all proud to be part of the “INSIDE OUT” artistic community, which to date has brought together more than 600,000 people around the world.
Today, another artistic fresco illuminates the Pays de Valois. Other monumental works, here and there, will emerge. What’s next?
Photo credits: David Godichaud
