With the arrival of the new T2 tram line, the city of Nice and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis have teamed up with the Whole Street Association to promote urban art in Nice.
This Saturday, June 27, residents of Nice will have the opportunity to explore urban culture. Various activities will be offered at Garibaldi Square for both the young and the old who are curious about this rapidly expanding phenomenon.
Three areas will be dedicated to activities. Rue Ségurane will be the place of expression for ten artists from around the world. We’ll see Otom, Pleks, and Nobhi, a Brazilian artist coming straight from Sao Paulo.
A 50-meter-long graffiti mural will be available for the occasion. No restrictions on expression but a color code. Each artist will be equipped with 20 cans of the same color and will have 5 meters wide. A jury will select the best piece at the end of the afternoon.
An Open Day for Everyone
Children and older participants can try their hand at graffiti, Hip Hop, or even board sports, with longboard initiation offered.
The Freeride Foundation association will provide a skatepark and offer BMX demonstrations, featuring the presence of pro-riders from the region.
In the early afternoon, the Corps Arts association will organize Hip Hop dance workshops, followed by a dance show combining Breakdance, contemporary dance, and classical dance.
The day will conclude with two concerts featuring Fred Luzignant Funktet followed by a DJ Set mixing Hip Hop and Old School Funk.
Framing Graffiti
This is the whole purpose of promoting urban culture. Still hesitant, most people have a negative perception of Street Art. However, it is not about vandalizing public spaces but expressing art, an idea, or a message on an appropriate medium.
Robert Roux, Delegate for Art in Public Spaces, emphasizes the difference between the “tag that damages” and the “graffiti that beautifies.”
“We wanted to bring life to the streets, victims of construction work. Rue Ségurane was the first stage for artists to express themselves. There was excellent feedback from residents and local businesses. It is in this spirit that we support the Tram Session project. It’s an urban culture festival in Nice, and it’s a great opportunity for the city to contribute.”
And After?
At the end of the summer, the fences and murals will be taken down to be auctioned off. The money raised will be donated to charitable associations. This initiative has been praised by Robert Roux, who is ready to find spaces for these graffiti artists in the future.
However, the situation is considered complicated by Municipal Councilor Anne Ramos, as “Nice does not have industrial murals.”
Nonetheless, the city of Nice will do everything possible to find spaces and locations for these graffiti artists to express themselves.
