Street art transforms the Saint-Aubin district in Toulouse into an open-air gallery. With Paliss’Art, thirty artists are taking over the fences of the metro construction site and bringing urban creation closer to residents.
The painter Nicolas Borderies drew on one of the panels of the Paliss’Art street art festival a woman, a book in her hand, immersed in her thoughts. This beautiful acrylic painting is on display as part of the 5th edition of this open-air event in the Saint-Aubin district of Toulouse. Carried jointly by the merchants’ association and Tisséo in order to soften the inconveniences of the titanic construction site of the third metro line, this artistic event arouses the admiration of passers-by. “It’s been a year and a half since this unusual and unique festival started in the neighborhood and we never tire of it,” notes Nikko KKO, street artist and one of the leaders. This time, there are thirty new artists before the sixth edition, 100% reserved for female street artists. This approach promotes urban art that is sometimes little-known and aims, over the course of each edition, to bring out new talents. “Today, the public is taking a different look at our discipline,” rejoices the manager.
“This initiative reduces the gap between the street and institutions”
President of the Association of Traders of Saint-Aubin-La Colombette, Alexandre Semenadisse underlines: “This event, which allowed the public to better know hip-hop culture via street art and which has considerably reduced the distance between the street and the institutions, requires a lot of energy and investment. To extend the identity of this artistic moment, we would really like a sequel to be made. We need to find an initiative.” Strolling along these fences, we discover a “big name” of street art, CeeT, known for its famous “chicanos” (little chickens). For the occasion, he chose to reinvent Rue du Taur: “I wanted to convey the energy of the city through vibrant colors and its own graphic language,” he explains. “That’s the whole point of Paliss’Art: bringing works to life in the very heart of the neighborhoods.” At this festival, there is also the street artist Pins and his very pop colored capsules: “The public loves this interlude,” he assures. “I think its end will create an absence.” An approach where everyone can also express themselves on the free expression panels installed all along the route. The school world is also involved, like the students of Michelet College who participate in workshops alongside the creators. “Toulouse has long established itself as a stronghold of street art,” concludes Alexandre Semenadisse. “The success of flagship events like Mister Freeze at the Guillaumet barracks or Layup near Matabiau station is striking proof of this.”
