Banksy Paris

The exhibition "The World of Banksy" is a permanent immersive experience that plunges you into the universe of the famous British street artist, globally recognized for his provocative and engaged artworks. More than 100 reproductions of iconic works created by street artists from around the world, in a captivating urban route of 1,200 m².

Banksy is a British urban artist who uses stenciling to create engaged, humorous, and poetic works. For over 20 years, he has worked under a pseudonym, and his true identity remains a mystery. This aura of secrecy adds a fascinating dimension to his work and strengthens the impact of his social and political messages. Banksy, Out of Bed Rat, 2002. Banksy exhibits his works on visible surfaces in the streets, turning public space into an art gallery accessible to all. His subjects are varied and universal: he denounces social injustice, war, consumerism, mass surveillance, and animal welfare. He uses irony, subversion, and provocation to challenge the public and question societal norms. His stencils have become icons of contemporary popular culture, recognized worldwide.

The depiction of a young girl letting go of a heart-shaped balloon, known as "Girl with Balloon," is one of Banksy’s most famous works and the favorite artwork of the British public according to a 2017 Samsung survey. This powerful image, both simple and moving, was created using a stencil and originally painted on the wall of a print shop in Shoreditch, London, in 2002. The artwork is accompanied by the inscription "There is Always Hope," a universal message that resonates strongly in our troubled times. The ambiguity of the image—does the girl reach out to catch the balloon or watch it fly away?—leaves room for multiple interpretations about innocence, freedom, and hope. Banksy, Girl with Balloon, 2002. In October 2018, this work became the subject of the biggest media stunt in modern art history. At a Sotheby’s auction in London, a framed version of "Girl with Balloon" self-destructed just after being sold for £1.04 million. A shredding mechanism hidden in the frame by Banksy himself partially shredded the artwork before the stunned audience. The piece was renamed "Love is in the Bin" and resold in 2021 for £18.5 million, becoming Banksy’s most expensive work.

The exhibition "The World of Banksy" takes you on a fascinating journey through the artist’s most iconic murals around the world. Over 1,200 m² and 3 levels recreating an authentic urban universe, discover more than 100 Banksy works recreated life-size by a dozen graffiti artists from around the globe. The route leads you from New York to London, passing through Paris, Bristol, Los Angeles, and Bethlehem. You’ll notably discover Banksy’s Parisian works, including the little girl covering a swastika and the moving creation on the Bataclan door made after the tragic 2015 attacks. The exhibition also features an impressive reconstruction of the "Walled Off Hotel" in Bethlehem, the subversive hotel created by Banksy facing the Israeli-Palestinian separation wall. Exhibition The World of Banksy.