JR in Hong Kong

Ever since I read about JR last year, I have been a fan of him.

I searched about his work, how he started from a graffiti artist to who he now is, how he post illegally and risks being caught, his projects and the fascinating meanings behind them.

Then I blogged about him last year in August. (Click here to read the post)

JR

This internationally renowned yet still anonymous French artist JR empowers ordinary people with his global art projects.

He made it to Forbes.com's list for '30 Under 30: Art & Design' (30 people under the age of 30 who have made a mark in the world of art & design).

JR at TED Prize 2011

When he won the TED Prize, he made a wish, 'I wish for you to stand up for what you care about by participating in a global art project, and together we'll turn the world inside out.'

Then he launched and invited everyone to join the Inside Out project--the world's largest participatory art project.

Inside Out, Women are Heroes, Face 2 Face, The Wrinkle of the City, Portrait of a Generation...I couldn't name a favorite because I love most of his projects.

They are all inspiring and fill my mind with thoughts and questions, because the faces appear in his work are real people and real lives.

Up to this moment, his work still gives me chills. 

TimeOut Hong Kong, one of my favourite and regular reads (even though I'm not an expat), has interviewed JR.

He shared his appreciation to differences and diversity, 'that's the best part. Depending on the place, people interpret my work differently: they see that as art, they see that as a political message and they see that as vandalism-- and it's the same thing they're seeing. But from the people's side, they always see it as an act of valuing themselves, showing that they exist, that they're here. That's the common language.'

I was thrilled to know that Galerie Perrotin is holding an exhibition by JR, named 'Pattern'.

I found myself waiting and counting down for the opening on 18th Sept.

His Inside Out project in HK features 16 large portraits of city dwellers pasted on the rooftop of the IFC footbridge in Central, looking up to the city's skyscrapers.

For those who are not in town or for whatever reason couldn't make it to the gallery, I have pictures to share with you. Just the outdoor part of the exhibition.

On one of the glasses of the gallery writes 'Look Down'

So I did.

And I saw this.

All the 16 faces

Honestly, his Inside Out in Hong Kong doesn't wow me as much as his other projects.

Perhaps because of its scale and location being less 'public'?

But still, I'm glad that he finally came to Hong Kong--something I wished for!

I find it incredibly difficult to explain myself whenever people ask me, 'why do you like this artist and his projects? What so special about these black and white portraits pasted all over the city?'

'What's the point of pasting huge posters of black and white portraits of ordinary people being pasted on the walls and buildings?'

Those are some of the moments when I know what I'm thinking yet can't find the right word to express them.

Most of the time, I have a feeling that my compliments and brief interpretations don't give him justice and are merely understatements to his fantastic work.

3 Simple Reasons Why I Like Him and His Works:

1) I like that it's simple yet sends powerful messages. It strikes me.

2) I admire him for being humble and stays low-key.

He stays anonymous so that people focus on the work and the faces of portraits instead of him. He stays anonymous by not disclosing his full name and always wearing sunglasses and hats. 

3) I love that his works have strong humanitarian focus. 

The way I see it is that for art to move and captivate people's heart, it has to closely linked and intertwined with humanity.

Otherwise, it is just pretentious.

I still remember the Tunisian boy in one of the videos, I think he points out the essence of JR's work way better than I could, 'it is not the same face but it is the same people'.

Yes, it's all about humanity--the people, their stories and their beliefs.

We might be separated physically, classified differently by gender, nationality, race, culture and beliefs, but we are all the same: People.

We all share some fundamental beliefs: Life, love, peace, respect, humility, hope, equality, kindness, gentleness, fairness, faith, forgiveness etc.

I love that he invites on stage anonymous heroes and embraces the multiple faces of humanity.

To be seen and to be heard, because we are the people of the city.

This is the main message of his projects, at least the way I interpret it.

Do you believe that art can change the world? Maybe it is difficult and takes a long long time.

But one things for sure: art changes people's lives.

Anyone interested in starting up a local project as a part of JR's Inside Out Project? :)

For more information about JR and his work, visit his website.

Love,

N