400 ML Project by Le MUR’s association, Paris, France

400 urban artists around the world have responded to the call made by Gautier Jourdain constitute a unique collection. They all deployed wealth of imagination to realize their 400ML bomb, the one they use for their daily work in the street. This unique collection showcases furniture installed in the ASSOCIATION is managed by the M.U.R. and may be presented. MAIN GOAL OF THE ASSOCIATION IS THE PROMOTION OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND PARTICULARLY OF URBAN ART.

The MUR also manages “400ML Project”, an exhibition at the initiative of collector Gautier Jourdain of bombs customized by urban artists from all over the world. When Jean Faucheur offered a customized aerosol can to Gautier Jourdain, he did not think that he would devote two years of his life to the realization of this unique collection: 400 bombs made by 400 international artists. The title of the project is chosen with reference to the standard European capacity of an aerosol can (400 milliliters). With this collection completed, Gautier Jourdain had the initiative to transfer it to the MUR for its distribution.

The aerosol bomb is the unifying object that best symbolizes the art of the street. Not all artists use it. However, whether they are adept at collage, stickers or performances, all are recognizable in this symbol. Since then, 400 emblematic urban artists in the world have agreed to work on this support. The exhibition was shown for the first time in November 2008 at the Maison des Métallos in Paris. Since then, “400ML Project” has become an itinerant exhibition.

The MUR, an acronym for modular, urban and reactive, is a French association founded in 2003 and whose purpose is to promote contemporary art and urban art in particular. It was founded around the French painter and sculptor Jean Faucheur, the artist Thomas Louis Jacques Schmitt known as “Thom Thom”, Malitte Matta and the collector Bob Jeudy.

The association proposes to urban artists, graffiti artists, to expose themselves in an ephemeral way on a wall located at 107 rue Oberkampf, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris; a new artist exhibits a work every two weeks. The new work replaces the previous one, thus perpetuating the principle of an ephemeral urban art.

According to the interview between Jean Faucheur and Thomas Schmitt5 From May 2000 to March 2001, the double billboard at the intersection of Rue Oberkampf and Rue Saint Maur (in the XIth arrondissement of Paris) became a “spotlight” on Parisian urban art . A little like a vertical squat, the two panels “4 by 3” display managed at the time by the company Giraudy are scrambled. The systematic diversion of the panel by Thomas Schmitt generates a first circle of encounters: Nomad, Vast, The Atlas.

The following year (March 2001-May 2002), Thomas Schmitt invites Jean Faucheur to paste a poster on the hijacked panel for almost a year. Faucheur then presented a series of works made ten years earlier, beginning with a tricolor scene, Gran ‘Popa Scalp. It is then the series of samples. The circle expanded in 2002 into an ephemeral collective of artists. The objective of this group, called One Night, is to replace the advertising posters of the 11th and 20th arrondissement in one night with original works of 4 by 3 meters produced in the artistic squatt of the association Arts et Toits. The collective claims its first action on May 24, 2002.

In September 2002, and until January 2003, when the video clip of Youssou N’Dour and Pascal Obispo, So many men, was filmed, the MUR was completely covered with a blue paper allowing the inlay. Once the shooting finished, Thom Thom realizes a double megalogo.

In the early days of 2003, the double panel Giraudy is withdrawn. A new siding is set up by Dauphin with a panel under plexiglas on the court side and a small panel (200 × 150 cm) on the garden side. This sign is accompanied by a sign indicating “Notice to artists, this panel is reserved for you to give free rein to your imagination. A few hours after his posting, the sign is hijacked by Thom Thom in “Notice autistic etc.” ”

This situation persists until 2007. Two new “one night” actions take place on 9 May 2003 and then on 20 May 2005.

In March 2003, the statutes of the MUR association were deposited. From then on, the project of a “wall-gallery” was proposed to the authorities. The Committee on Art in the City gave a favorable opinion in September 2005.

The official inauguration took place in the presence of Georges Sarre, on Thursday, January 25, 2007. The first “legally bonded” poster was signed by Gérard Zlotykamien. A double panel installed by Clear Channel on behalf of the town hall is set up on a temporary basis. Restoration work is announced. The last poster pasted on the “green wall” is that of RERO.

The new MUR (tint puce) comes into operation in June 2009 with the phosphorescent poster by Pierre Huyghe which pays tribute to Manhu, a deceased member of the Ripolin Brothers. From August to December, the MUR presents posters first exhibited at the Cartier Foundation during “Born in the Street – Graffiti”. In October 2010, published by Kitchen 93 The MUR / The Wall, a first book-catalog which includes all works officially exhibited from Gerard Zlotykamien to Ella and Pitr.

The modes of intervention on the panel are free and multiple. Artists use materials of their choice, such as aerosol, acrylic, glue, ink. Generally they create works of 3 × 8 meters to respect the frame. However, this also remains a choice.

In 2009, the association collaborated in the exhibition “Born in the Street – Graffiti”, which took place at the Cartier Foundation from July 7, 2009 to January 10, 2010. The Cartier Foundation invited the artists Alëxone, the collective 1980 , Fancie, Jean Faucheur, WK Interact, Honet, NP 77, Poch, RCF 1, Sun7 and Thom Thom to create works in public. These works were exhibited one month and then displayed on the wall of Oberkampf.