Verdun. Exhibition An expression for peace: a reattached portrait and the monument decorated
Since June 17th and the launch of the temporary exhibition An Expression for Peace , hundreds of portraits have adorned downtown Verdun. A week later, many of them have been damaged by the flow of pedestrians, who flocked to the center in large numbers for the Fête de la Musique. Others, however, have been deliberately damaged.
"When we were putting up the posters on the first day (Editor's note: June 17), a man told us he would tear down the portraits of veiled women," says David Millot, who is leading the project with Simon Schroeder and Gregory Del Savio. And the individual in question clearly carried out his threats by removing the eyes of an Afghan woman wearing a veil that revealed part of her hair.
On June 24, Simon Schroeder and Gregory Del Savio pasted a new portrait near the Chaussée Tower. "Unfortunately, some people conflate Islam with Islamism," observes Samuel Hazard, who witnessed the scene. "Putting the portrait back next to the one that was defaced is a response from the Republic and universalism to obscurantism."
The installation was completed this Tuesday, June 24, at around 3:30 p.m. Photo MB
It's worth noting that the nearly 800 portraits in this temporary exhibition were printed on recyclable and biodegradable paper. "We also use a water-based glue," adds Simon Schroeder.
"The lifespan is therefore four to ten days and this is the wish of the artist JR, who accompanied us and who advocates open-air exhibitions so that as many people as possible can enjoy them."
Since June 24, two giant portraits have also been stuck on the steps of the Victory Monument.
More photos on “ www.estrepublicain.fr”
L'Est Républicain
