AN IMMERSION INTO ‘LOADING. L'ART URBAIN À L'ÈRE NUMÉRIQUE’ —- AT THE GRAND PALAIS IMMERSIF

Digital Interaction and Exploration in Urban Art
Paris, France – From 6th December 2023 to 21st July 2024, the Grand Palais Immersif, located at 110 Rue de Lyon - Paris 12E, unveils "LOADING. L’art urbain à l’ère numérique". This groundbreaking exhibition narrates the evolution of urban art, underscoring the significant impact of digital production and dissemination technologies on contemporary artists in this field. It includes the involvement of iconic figures in urban art, ranging from legendary graffiti writers from New York's 70s and 80s old school to contemporary collectives like 1UP, acclaimed street artists such as El Seed, Ella & Pitr, El Mac, Shepard Fairey, Pichiavo, Vhils, Kashink, and legendary artists like Keith Haring.
Visitors will embark on a sensory journey through the multifaceted expressions of urban art, enriched with immersive digital technologies.
Said Dokins & Leonardo Luna. To Deploy the Natural Plan in All its Amplitude, Heliographies of memory series. Radio Kootwijk, Netherlands
In a prominent section of the exhibition, Mexican artist Said Dokins, in collaboration with Roberto Palma, showcases “Interférences”, a work projected on the structure of FIESP in São Paulo. This piece resonates with the Brazilian pichação, voicing themes of necropolitics, violence, and cultural resistance. Concurrently, Dokins and Leonardo Luna introduce the “Heliographies of Memory” project, employing light as a narrative medium, transforming historical spaces into luminous canvases that reclaim and visually reinterpret the city's forgotten stories.
Said Dokins & Roberto Palma. Interferences. FIESP, Sao Paulo Brazil.
Invitation LOADING.
The Impact of Urban Art in the Digital Age
This exhibition not only witnesses the transformation of urban art but also shines a light on how technology has catalysed this metamorphosis. Curator Christian Omodeo contemplates the influence of technologies from the dawn of computing in the 80s, through the era of video games, smartphones, and social media over the past two decades. Christian Omodeo reflects on how street artists, often on the fringes of the conventional art market, have found social media to be an essential platform for building communities and extending their influence. He notes that artists like Banksy were pioneers in understanding the power of Internet virality, a phenomenon crucial to their iconic status development. Without the Internet, the reach and recognition of Banksy and many other artists would be markedly different. Omodeo's insights highlight how the digital age has redrawn the interaction map between artists and the world, marking a paradigm shift in the perception and consumption of urban art.
Within the exhibition, "The Cathedral", a 400-square-metre and 25-metre-high space, is designed to immerse visitors in the history of urban art. A film montage spanning decades of street art, with a special focus on New York's vibrant 70s and 80s scene, will be showcased. “The Cathedral is not just a cinema room; it is a complete immersive experience,” comments Omodeo. This approach transcends traditional technical limits, offering an artistic documentary composed of fragments from various sources, projected on 30-metre-wide and 13-metre-high walls, immersing the spectator in the heart of the ever-evolving street art. The show, co-produced by Grand Palais Immersif and Atlas V, features the collaborative work of Atlas V's audiovisual designers, writing and design by Christian Omodeo, Mehdi Mejri, and Pierre Zandrowicz, and an exceptional sound environment by Roque Rivas.
Credits:
Exhibition co-produced by Grand Palais Immersif and Atlas V curator: Christian Omodeo, doctor in art history writing design: Christian Omodeo, Mehdi Mejri, Pierre Zandrowicz production: Mehdi Mejri, ATLAS V videomapping / interactive content: Superbien original composition: Roque Rivas, Ircam / sound engineering: Oscar Ferran, Ircam set design: Olivier Palatre graphic design / identity: Horah, Monsieur L’Agent
About Said Dokins
Said Dokins is a visual artist whose practice includes installations and interventions in public spaces. His art delves into the visual understanding of urban environments through writing and text, exploring tensions between urbanism, politics, and architecture. A graduate of the National School of Plastic Arts at UNAM, Dokins has received international recognition, including the Ibero-American Contemporary Artistic Creation Award Cortes de Cádiz. His work, displayed in streets, museums, and galleries worldwide, has been published by prestigious publishers and is part of renowned collections. Currently, Dokins focuses on the intersection of urban art with science and technology, collaborating with entities like the Science Gallery and the Art Science and Technology Laboratory at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
NEWS
BIO_ RES_ CRITURAS Artist residency at the Tec de Monterrey for the exhibition ‘Attentar desde los códigos’. Residencia de artistas en el Tec de Monterrey para la exposición ‘Atentar desde los códigos’ Bioart project. From the series ‘Itineraries of Body and Flesh in Public Things’ comprises Cell Culture, Bio-Writing, Cross-Contamination, and Genetic Engineering.
COLLECTION
COMMUNITY. Limited Edition Fine Art Print 4c Screen Print on Munken Rough Pure Paper, 300g/m2 70x70cm, edition of 36 Vienna, Austria This work includes a certificate of authenticity Hand-signed by the artist at the bottom Frame not included Series: Community
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Hodie. Limited Edition Black Hoodie with gold calligraphy on front & back plus details. – 12.5 oz., 50/50 combed ringspun cotton/polyester – Matching flat drawcord – Pouch pocket – Ribbed cuffs and waistband with spandex
Said Dokins Visual artist Said Dokins seamlessly integrates calligraphy with the rebelliousness of graffiti and cutting-edge technologies. Politics and power serve as central themes in his creations, where he transitions from the philosophical to the performative, exploring human movement and its imprints within specific contexts. Dokins has left his mark in cities worldwide, showcasing his work in international museums and galleries. He has also actively participated in prestigious street art festivals and received accolades such as the Ibero-American Prize for Contemporary Artistic Creation "Cortes de Cádiz." In addition to his artistic practice, he stands out as a researcher, curator, and member of international associations, making significant contributions to the contemporary cultural landscape. Forbes Mexico has honored him as one of the "100 Most Creative Mexicans of the Year." His legacy represents a unique intersection between contemporary art and politically poetic writing, infused with depth and social commitment.