Artist Talk: JR

Renowned French photographer, activist, and artist JR joined Hirshhorn Director Melissa Chiu to discuss the power of public art and how he engages with communities around the world to make powerful works of art in the world’s largest art gallery: the streets. In 2011, JR received the TED Prize and the invitation to enact his wish to “use art to turn the world inside out.” He subsequently launched the international participatory art project, “Inside Out.” The artist’s unconventional practice of making art for, and with, the masses has taken him across France to Brazil, India, Israel and Palestine, Kenya and the United States. His collage technique allows him to install photographic artwork free of charge on the walls of the world, appealing to people inside and outside of traditional art spheres. He uses photography, both his own and found images, to promote conversations about how we see other people and critical issues such as immigration, gender and media representation. His socially-oriented practice has spread into the realms of dance and feature films including the Oscar nominated documentary, “Faces Places,” garnering acclaim and awards for his unique methods of storytelling.