A collective work of art!
This weekend, I had an artistic experience that was as intense as it was inspiring, taking part in the Inside Out project by the artist JR, who was based in Nyon for a few days. If you haven't heard of JR yet, his socially conscious street art has been seen around the world: he sticks black and white portraits in public spaces to show the faces of humanity. And this time, it was our turn.
A friend and I went to the Suettaz district, a little curious, a little intimidated too. I was photographed in just a few minutes, in a happy and friendly atmosphere. Then I saw my portrait, printed in XXL format, join those of dozens of other Nyon residents. People of all ages, backgrounds and styles lined up, side by side, on the facade of the building that would soon be demolished. It was deeply moving.
What I love about JR is the way he brings together the intimate and the collective. With Inside Out, he invites everyone to take their place in the world, to make themselves visible. He creates art out of our faces, our differences, and our shared humanity. In Nyon, the project took on an unexpected dimension: people stopped, looked and smiled. You could feel that something was happening. A living work of art, ephemeral, but profoundly human.
I came away from the weekend with a full heart. It's rare to take part in a project of such scope, so accessible and so deeply committed.
