Projet #1096

Versailles 2020

« Là où fleurit l’émerveillement » - Mantra

Fascinated by nature, French artist and naturalist Mantra has realized in Versailles the tenth and last fresco of our #1096 project in homage to the richness and beauty of a garden and to the Bernard de Jussieu neighborhood, which history is intrinsically linked to the study of plants and insects.

In order to design his fresco, the artist drew inspiration from both photographs that he himself captured in his parents' garden in Metz, his home town, as well as by the color palette of Sainer's fresco "In the Garden", which is adjacent to his own, with the ambition to create a true dialogue between his artwork and his environment, as well as re-enchanting the daily life of the neighborhood's residents.

In order to realize this fresco entirely with acrylic paint, the artist put his brushes down during 8 days in the heart of the Versailles neighborhood.

Constructed in the 1960s, the Bernard de Jussieu neighborhood has had its housing estate renovated by a group orchestrated by Eiffage Construction (Ithaque, Vincent Lavergne Architecture & Urbanisme and BETOM Ingénierie), in collaboration with the landlord Versailles Habitat and the city of Versailles. This thermal rehabilitation programme's aim is to improve the daily life of its inhabitants.

Associated with this renovation, Quai 36 signs the artistic direction of project #1096 (in reference to the 1096 housings). Ten French and international mural artists invest the facade of a building, i.e. ten monumental frescoes each measuring about 200 m² revealed to the eyes of the residents over a period of one year.

Paying tribute to French botanist Bernard de Jussieu, the artists Aryz (Spain), Eron (Italy), Jade Rivera (Peru), Mantra (France), Mona Caron (Switzerland), Saddo (Romania), Sainer (Poland), Seth (France), Telmo Miel (Netherlands), and Waone (Ukraine) have been questioned about the relationship between humans and nature.

In order to visit the Bernard de Jussieu neighborhood, take the Transilien L, direction of "Versailles Rive Droite" from Paris St-Lazare station and stop at "Gare de Montreuil".

By car, take the A13 highway then the D182 departmental road, direction "Avenue des Etats Unis" in Versailles. The addresses of all the frescoes are available in the photo gallery below and in our dedicated Qlub 36 article.

More information on project #1096: https://projet1096.squarespace.com/