In the 13th arrondissement of Paris, the pupils of the Léon-Maurice Nordmann school do not conceal their pride. A mural painted in the playground is among the 100 most beautiful works of street-art in the world for the year 2021!
A great joy, a great pride
On a large wall is represented in a lying position a young girl with rainbow hair that the children have baptized “Miss Colors”. Produced in January 2021 with the support of the Paris City Hall, this drawing by Toulouse graffiti artist Vinie was selected in an international competition organized by the specialized site Street Art Cities.
The vote open to Internet users around the world is now closed, and has been since midnight on Monday. But whatever the final result, the educational project is a total success, explains Bernard Philippon, the director of this elementary school. “It brings above all great joy and great pride for the students and for Vinie. This woman has human qualities that match her artistic qualities,” he says. According to the head of the establishment, the Toulouse artist “played the game with the children by giving a lot of her time. She stayed in the evening and talked with them. There is a real background work that gives this work a dimension collective”.
There is a real substantive work that gives this work a collective dimension
And what was his surprise when he learned that the fresco had been selected for an international competition. “It’s proof that we participated in a real project to improve the quality of life and embellishment.” The director also underlines that on their own, the students wanted to stop playing football in the yard so as not to risk dirtying the work with a ball. “It’s extraordinary” smiles Mr. Philippon who nevertheless specifies that balloons are of course not prohibited during recess.
“I absolutely wanted it to be an educational work where the children would be able to follow the creation of a work with all the preparation and all the stages so that it also becomes their fresco” he continues. And this is indeed the case to hear the students who remember with great pride: “The artist had spray paint and ladders to paint on the wall” recalls Anass. For her part, Paloma was marked “by the big mask she wore to protect herself from toxic products”. As for the final rendering, the children are conquered. “‘Miss Couleurs’ deserves to be known because she is still very pretty” sums up a little girl from CM2.
In addition to that of the school, another Parisian wall appears in the top 100 of the most beautiful works of street-art in the world. This is the facade of 7 rue Desargues in the 11th arrondissement. The artist Huyro draws a majestic Conductor visible from the sidewalk.