It is quite likely I have sent a snapshot from Lutetia - as I tended to do on my blog back then - featuring PA_474, I realise now, 17 years later, my blog defunct, broken, abandoned, since I don't know how long. I don't think I had Facebook back then, it might not even have been available. Twitter was a little blue bird that had not been discovered by the masses and the bloodthirsty fringes. It wasn't as easy to figure out what a pixelart mosaic on a wall was, or meant. Just like then I walk by listening to the music on my iPod, probably, stop and snap a photo with the camera in my pocket. Now, the flash I make with the dedicated app is automatically casted to the sufficiently decentralized social network I'm active on, and in a flash I remember I may have posted that snapshot from Lutetia featuring PA_474 on my now defunct, broken and abandoned blog.
Do you know Invader, the street artist? Well, probably not, as he has managed to stay anonymous, or maybe better: pseudonymous, but maybe you know his work. He creates pixel art mosaics that he cements to walls. It started in Paris, but it is now worldwide. I came across a couple in Gateshead a few years ago, and they got me intrigued. Since then, especially since moving back to France, I have been "flashing' invaders whenevery I see them, This 'flashing' is done with a dedicated app called 'flashinvaders'. The app allows you to point a camera at a street art mosaic and assess whether it's one made by invader. Or not. If it is, you get points, even.
Today, as I was wandering around Paris, close to where I once used to live, I found another invader. PA_474. According to the data in the app, this one was installed back in 2002. And then I remembered. When I lived here, about 17 years ago, I have seen this piece. And I have taken a photo of it. And most likely written something about it on the blog I was running then.
Sometimes you have to see, or taste, or hear, things a couple of times before you really connect with it.
What's something that took you a couple of encounters to start to really appreciate it?
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Invader has been beautifying the four corners of the world with his art. This movei is about putting one up in a very special location. Enjoy.
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