Vol. 13.09 News From November 2013 A free monthly review of French news & trends

French Pilots Win Triple Gold at World Stunt-Flying Championship in Texas © FAI/Laurie Zaleski © FAI/Laurie © L. Lebaron / T. Vincent - EVAA Vincent T. / © L. Lebaron © FAI/Laurie Zaleski © FAI/Laurie

French pilots earned three gold medals during the 100th annual World Aerobatic Championships from October 9 through 20. Held at the North Texas Regional Airport in Sherman-Denison, Texas, the event saw 10 French pilots finish among the top 25. L-R: gold medalists François Le Vot, Aude Mordan, and François Rallet. Story, p. 2

From the Ambassador’s Desk: A Monthly Message From François Delattre

The month of October brought news and diverse ex- the crisis in Central African Republic. The country has been amples in French-American cooperation. When the French in disarray since rebels overthrew the government this Embassy in Washington hosted Press Freedom Night on past March. Together with its African, American, and other inside October 2, we honored the right to free speech and infor- partners, France is taking steps to stabilize the country. mation, a value we share with the U.S. I was happy to share In line with France’s priorities in economic diplomacy, Current Events 2 the podium with representatives from Reporters Without I traveled to Detroit on October 15 to help inaugurate a Embassy Honors Press Freedom Borders. Leaders from the Peter Mackler Award, which new factory, built by Plastic Omnium. As one of the 150 Interview: Special Envoy 3 recognizes journalists working in repres- French businesses active around Detroit, Nicolas Hulot, Environmental Specialist sive conditions, also presented their great the group has had great success in the work. region and employs some 4,000 people Special Report: Diplomacy 4 Several French leaders traveled to Wash- there. I then traveled to Chicago, where I Three Leaders Come to Washington ington on October 10 through 12 for the had the privilege on October 25 to bestow Business & Technology 6 Annual Meetings at the World Bank and the Legion of Honor on Richard Sandor. French, U.S. Young Leaders in Atlanta the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Known as a pioneer of financial futures, Mr. Pierre Moscovici, France’s Minister of Econ- Sandor has also worked tirelessly to pro- Culture & Society 7 omy and Finance, spoke at these institu- mote environmental finance. American Graffiti in tions and the Council on Foreign Relations. Finally, I was happy to attend an event France & America 8 Pascal Canfin, Minister for Develop- on global governance hosted by the Houston Welcomes Lascaux Exhibit ment, appeared at the IMF and the World Brookings Institution on October 28. The Bank, as well as the Organization of Ameri- program was held in honor of , can States (OAS) and the Brookings Institu- © SDG previously the Director-General of the tion, where he discussed France’s develop- World Trade Organization. The following ment and climate policies. day, I attended the annual gala in Washington for the Insti- News From France Nicolas Hulot, Special Envoy of the French President tut Curie, a Paris-based cancer research organization, also A free monthly review of French news & trends for the Protection of the Planet, likewise visited a number attended by U.S. Senators Edward Markey (Massachusetts) of U.S. leaders in environmental policy. His trip extended and Barbara Mikulski (Maryland). through Colorado and California, where he met with From press freedom to ministerial visits, from African NFF is also available online at: www.ambafrance-us.org green-energy innovators and entrepreneurs. security to celebrating French-U.S. trade, environmental www.facebook.com/FranceInTheUS On the subject of international conflict, the French Em- policy, and medicine, France is proud to be partnered with @franceintheus bassy has responded to the need for greater awareness of its American colleagues and friends. NFF current events en bref

France Shines in World Embassy of France Honors Press Freedom in Washington Aerobatic Championships

On October 20, France was judged the world’s best at the 100th annual World Aerobatic Championships at the North Texas Regional Airport. The competi- tion occurred over a 12-day period from October 9 to 20, when some of the best stunt-flying pilots in the world com- peted. France took home gold med- als in the individual, team, men’s, and women’s categories. Captain François Le Vot won the men’s title and Aude Lemordan was awarded the women’s title of championne du monde. Each pilot presented three different flight sequences: “known,” “unknown,” and “freestyle.” These different pro- grams allowed the competitors to show the diversity and breadth of their aero- batic expertise. The results of all three sequences were then combined and tabulated to determine the winner. In addition to the success of first- place winners Mr. Le Vot and Ms. Lemor- dan, the men’s and women’s teams ex- hibited other honorable performances. © SDG Olivier Masurel, Captain François Rallet, L-R: Delphine Halgand, Director of Reports Without Borders USA; Christophe Deloire, Director General of Reporters Nicolas Ivanoff, and Alexandre Lebou- Without Borders; Catherine Antoine, Co-Founder of the Peter Mackler Award; and Ambassador François Delattre. langer all placed in the top 10 for the men’s division, with Kathel Boulanger winning the bronze for France in the On October 2, the Embassy of France, in partnership Ochlik, a French war photographer who was killed on women’s division. with Reporters Without Borders USA, gathered diplomatic assignment. officials, journalists, and press freedom activists to honor Over repeated trips that began in 2011, Mr. Ochlik trav- Ambassador Attends press freedom. eled to North Africa to document the Arab Spring events Opening of Detroit Auto Plant The evening also highlighted the fifth anniversary of in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Tunisia. the Peter Mackler Award, given to journalists working In February 2012, he died at the age of 28 during the On October 15, Ambassador François in environments where information is often limited or bombardment of a media center in Homs, Syria. Delattre visited Detroit to help cut the suppressed. His photographs have been published in the Wall Street ribbon at a new major plant built by The prize is administered by the Global Media Forum Journal, Le Monde, Time Magazine, Paris Match, and VSD. Inergy Automotive Systems. and bears the name of the late reporter and Washington More than 200 people came to see Mr. Ochlik’s photo- Significant investments made by bureau chief for the Agence France-Presse, Peter Mackler. graphs at the Embassy’s cultural center, La Maison Fran- the French company Plastic Omnium As part of the special evening, a photo exhibit, titled çaise. Ambassador François Delattre, who spoke at the made the opening of the plant pos- Revolutions: Photographs of the Arab Spring, was inau- event, described hosting the program “an immense hon- sible. Plastic Omnium is a large sup- gurated. It showcased 55 photographs by the late Rémi or” for the Embassy of France. plier of the American automobile industry and operates six plants em- ploying nearly 4,000 people in the In D.C., Embassy Shares “Lessons” in Global Recovery U.S. The new facility will create many new jobs in the area. On October 14, the French-American Global Forum In addition to funding the new (FAGF), in partnership with the newspaper Le Monde Di- automotive plant, Plastic Omnium’s plomatique, presented its second installment of the “Le chairman and CEO, Laurent Burelle, Monde Diplomatique Debates.” Hosted by American Uni- also announced a long-term com- versity’s School of International Service, (SIS) the topic of mitment to Detroit’s “Focus: HOPE” the session was “Five Years Later: Lessons from the 2008 program. The nonprofit program is Financial Crisis.” designed to develop and empower The debate featured experts from both France and Michigan’s workforce by providing the United States. Frédéric Doré, Minister-Counselor of education, job training, and food to the Embassy of France to the U.S., introduced the confer- the community. The new plant will ence by discussing the lessons learned since the start of also provide opportunities to hire the global economic downturn. Mr. Doré emphasized the employees and recruit interns from need to “strike a smart balance between fiscal consolida- the “Focus: HOPE” program’s engi- tion and support for demand” in today’s post-crisis phase. neering and information technology James Goldgeier, Dean of the SIS, also participated. services. Woodford © Julie Ann Romuald Sciora, Founder and Director of the FAGF, Some 150 French companies are Frédéric Doré, Minister-Counselor of the French Embas- also spoke at this year’s event. The series aims to foster active in the Detroit area. sy, discussed lessons of the financial crisis on October 14. discussion and familiarize American decision-makers to the foreign policy outlook of Le Monde Diplomatique.

2 interview: special envoy NFF en bref

Protecting the Planet: Special Envoy Nicolas Hulot D.C. Exhibit Shows Early Photos of 19th-Century Paris

As Special Envoy of the French President for the Protection of the Planet, Nicolas Hulot is a renowned The National Gallery of Art in Washing- advocate for climate issues, resulting from his longtime presence as a TV journalist and documentary film- ton opened a new exhibition on Sep- maker on the environment. Mr. Hulot recently visited Washington to talk with U.S. and international experts. tember 29, entitled Charles Marville: News From France sat down to learn more about his work and activity in the nation’s capital. Photographer of Paris. The exhibition features the work the legendary early Paris photographer, Charles Marville. His celebrated shots capture the city during its modernization period in the mid-1850s. During the 19th century, Paris un- derwent a process of complete trans- formation. Under the direction of Emperor Napoléon III and his chief ur- ban planner, Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, Old Paris was essentially demolished. Narrow, winding streets were overhauled to make way for the new Grands Boulevards that are char- acteristic of the city today. Mr. Marville’s photographs dis- play different stages of this sweeping change, from the destruction of the old city to the emergence of the mod- © SDG ern, present-day Paris. Visitors have the opportunity to ex- What was the purpose of your visit to Washington? as well, not only on technological initiatives, but also le- plore the bygone Paris depicted in Mr. The idea is to strengthen French environmental diplo- gal and economic. France’s enthusiasm to host the 2015 Marville’s photographs until January 5. macy on behalf of the president. You obviously have two climate conference points to our spirit of positivity. This senior ministers, and Pascal Canfin, both is a very complicated crisis to resolve—but we are trying Chicago, Paris Sign High of whom I was with recently and who are also in Wash- to turn this into an opportunity. We wish to share in these School Education Agreement ington at the moment. The purpose of my work in the efforts as well. United States is, in light of the “COP 21” climate confer- The first week of October, Chicago ence that France will host in 2015, to try and understand What could be the role of the France and the United Public Schools and the Académie de the positions of different political and economic actors in States together? Paris signed an agreement that es- the multilateral process of climate change negotiation. Ideally, for us, it would be a real blessing to foster tablished a new educational partner- My goal is to build consensus as well, as the United States French-American collaboration before the conference in ship between seven French and U.S. will play a decisive role in 2015. Paris. During this trip, we had several good discussions schools. It is important to consider the many viewpoints on concerning the oceans. It’s important to remember that Under the partnership, students this topic. France has perceived a split within U.S. poli- the United States is the largest stakeholder of territorial from Chicago and Paris schools, includ- tics regarding climate change. The Democrats are pursu- ocean rights in the world. And even if it is rather far be- ing two elementary schools, two mid- ing climate change initiatives while the Republicans are hind the U.S., France comes second in territorial ocean dle schools, and three high schools, will generally not. France understands that it is important to rights. We could undertake a common initiative to devel- benefit from the use of technologies consider opposing arguments in order to fully grasp the op the protected areas. We also discussed the implemen- such as Skype, online conversations issue’s complexity. We must look to the U.S. for new ar- tation of the Montego Bay convention on the Right of via social media, and video confer- guments to generate the most effective negotiation pro- the Sea, on which our policies do not match completely, ences as tools for linguistic exchange. cess. In France, we often put environmental arguments but about which we had much to discuss. In addition, French and American stu- first, while the U.S. focuses more on economic issues. I am confident about my visit in Washington. We have dents will take part in more foreign Now, an increasing number of American officials realize a good partnership with the United States. The simple exchanges between France and the that the cost of inaction on environmental issues may be fact that President Obama is aiming to reduce gas emis- United States. These visits allow stu- greater than the cost of action. sions by 17 percent is already a positive sign. Afterwards, dents to see first-hand the historical, Furthermore, there exists a link between climate we will see: could this go further? One must hope to find cultural, and linguistic attributes of the change and internal security for the United States. This is the key to further environmental protections. two countries. the reason I met with officials at the Pentagon and Vice- A group of Chicago high school stu- Admiral David Titley, U.S. Navy, who has worked exten- How is France engaged outside of Washington in its dents will explore France in the fall of sively on these issues. efforts to address climate change? 2014, while students from French high I recently went to Colorado to see green technol- schools will have the opportunity to Whom else did you meet with during your stay? ogy initiatives. In Washington I met with think tanks that experience American culture by spend- I met with several U.S. Representatives, both Demo- work on new economic models. In France, we, too have ing time in Chicago high schools. cratic and Republican, the Pentagon, and Congress. But our own proposals and perspectives. Teachers also benefit from the Chi- my time in Washington was not spent only in meetings I met recently with the Ambassador of Haiti to the Or- cago-Paris school partnership through with political representatives. I also met with NGOs, as ganization of American States, and we spoke about de- virtual and in-person teacher coopera- it is important to hear counter-arguments from private forestation. Prior to my trip to Washington, I traveled to tion. The program allows for the use of actors who play a powerful role in finding a solution. Yes- Costa Rica to study the economic model they were using new methods and tools for teaching terday evening I met the heads of multinational organi- to reverse deforestation in their country. It is also that ap- foreign languages, whether the lan- zations that focus on the subject of energy. proach that consists of looking at current problems and guage is French or English. We met with think tanks that work on future solutions striving for solutions in the future.

3 special report: France in the U.S. French Officials Address Global Affairs in Washington © Maria Patricia Leiva / OAS Leiva © Maria Patricia © Maria Patricia Leiva / OAS Leiva © Maria Patricia © SDG

Left to right: Special Envoy Nicolas Hulot presents French positions at the Organization of American States; France’s Minister for the Economy and Finance, Pierre Moscovici, addresses key decision makers at the Council on Foreign Relations; and Pascal Canfin, Minister Delegate for Development, describes French aid goals.

France conducted some very active diplomacy across the spectrum of financial and global fi- Mr. Moscovici also described France’s role in in the United States this month. From October nance stakeholders. supporting a broad global recovery. He shared 10 through 12, three leaders convened in Wash- Mr. Moscovici presented a markedly more France’s continuing goal to maintain “evolving ington, D.C., for dialogue with their American positive outlook than some critics had been international consensus [through] the right bal- and international partners. Focusing on global forecasting. “What a difference a year makes,” he ance between austerity and growth... The U.S. economics, development, and the environment, said, pointing to the fact that previously, while and France hold posi- each figure drew from his expertise in order to some were predicting the disintegration of the tions that are quite simi- advance common solutions to shared problems. Euro currency, the question has since been aban- lar” on budgetary issues, The result was greater consensus, with further doned in favor of a more positive discussion of Mr. Moscovici said. “What a difference action slated for the immediate and longer-term future growth. He added that decisive measures In addition to his ap- future. have been taken in Paris and other European pearance at the Council capitals to emerge from the crisis stronger than on Foreign Relations, Mr. a year makes... Transatlantic Economics before. Moscovici attended the The Minister likewise shed light on France’s IMF and World Bank An- France is on Pierre Moscovici, Minister of the Economy and current fiscal reforms. Having presented to the nual Meetings that week- Finance, began his U.S. visit with a speech on Oc- National Assembly, France’s lower chamber, the end. Among the many tober 10 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Ma. draft budget for 2014 just before coming to events taking place, the the move.” Titled “New Challenges for Europe—An Econom- Washington, he cited tax credits for business and Minister joined Jim Kim, ic and Political Outlook of its Future,” the event research which will enable a six-percent reduc- President of the World - Pierre Moscovici, addressed France’s response at national, EU, and tion in labor costs. Bank, on October 12 for Finance Minister international levels to the global financial crisis “The 2014 budget embodies this historic am- a public signing of the that has impacted both sides of the Atlantic. bition” to re-energize France’s economy, he said. Trust Fund for African Sustainable Extractive The following day, Mr. Moscovici spoke during Other measures include a greater flexibility struc- Industries. Each of Mr. Moscivici’s public appear- a morning conference at the Council on Foreign ture on savings regulations for companies hoping ances reflected France’s continuing leadership Relations. Moderated by former U.S. Ambassador to access greater equity financing, as well as the as global powers try to steer a mutually agree- Robert Kimmitt, the event gathered policymak- establishment of the Public Investment Bank to able path toward stronger growth and broader ers, journalists, and non-profit professionals from work alongside private banks. stability for all.

4 NFF © SDG © SDG © SDG © SDG

Clockwise from top left: Mr. Moscovici outlines French plans for economic leadership at home and in Europe. Mr. Canfin, at the Brookings Institution, speaks on France’s efforts in aid and climate change. Mr. Hulot answers questions during a press conference. Messrs. Moscovici and World Bank President Jim Kim sign an accord on October 12.

Endeavors in Development and the risk of higher infant mortality, which Joining Mr. Canfin during the press conference would affect developing nations disproportion- at the OAS on October 11, Mr. Hulot shared his The World Bank partnership was just one of sev- ately more than advanced economies. A warmer view that climate change constitutes “a deep po- eral instances of French involvement in Washing- world “is a world where more children below five litical crisis that affects all the men and women ton on the subject of global development. Pascal years old do not reach five years old,” he said, add- of the world.” He cited the natural disasters in Canfin, Minister Delegate for ing that France will remain engaged in the global the United States as an example of how “climate Development, led France’s climate change debate leading up to the “COP 21,” change is here and is especially affecting fisher- aid efforts during the IMF or 21st Conference of the Parties meeting devoted men and farmers,” whose livelihoods depend on “What a difference and World Bank meetings, to the same subject, set for 2015 in Paris. the conditions of their local environment. namely through the struggle The Minister then took his message to the In a separate press conference at the French to eradicate extreme pov- Washington-based Organization of American Embassy later that day, Mr. Canfin indicated that a year makes... erty, as well as seeking solu- States (OAS), where France is examining avenues international climate efforts remain complicated, tions to climate change and for developmental progress with its partners in yet he expressed optimism for future possibili- France is on in sustainable development Central and South America. ties with the U.S. and other partner nations. “One models. must hope to find the key” to further progress, Mr. Canfin also addressed he said, and shared his upcoming travel plans to the move.” French efforts on climate Environmental Action Colorado and California, where he would visit en- change. During a conference Working in tandem with Messrs. Moscovici and trepreneurs in alternative energy production. - Pierre Moscovici, at the Brookings Institution Canfin was a longtime presence among France’s In short, each French leader contributed to what Finance Minister on October 11, and speaking environmental champions. Nicolas Hulot, a proved a very dynamic, and certainly busy, several alongside Rachel Kyte, World broadcast journalist, was named Special Envoy days in the U.S. capital. On subjects as diverse as Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development, for the Protection of the Planet by French Presi- the global economy, aid and development, and the French and American leaders proposed com- dent François Hollande in December of 2012. the environment, Messrs. Moscovici, Canfin, and mon goals and strategies in preparing for a more Since then he has fostered numerous interactions Hulot expressed France’s strong desire to work in prosperous social and environmental future. among French and international policymakers Washington—indeed, with partners around the While at Brookings Mr. Canfin emphasized the on environmental protection, and his journey to globe—in efforts to improve living conditions for correlation between rising global temperatures Washington was in the same vein. the world’s current and future inhabitants.

5 NFF en bref business & technology

World’s Largest Cruise Annual Young Leaders Meeting Held in Atlanta This Year Ship Being Built in France On October 16, a group of 40 up-and-coming ing between France and the United States. The Miami-based cruise ship company French and American individuals were welcomed to At- The meeting’s location alternates between France and Royal Caribbean has commissioned lanta for the annual Young Leaders Meeting. the United States. In 2012, it was held in Le Havre, a port French construction giant STX France to Over the course of their visit, the group met with city in Northern France. Scott Holcomb, a second-year build what will one day be the world’s prominent leaders who shared their experiences and Young Leader and State Representative of Georgia, intro- largest ocean liner. discussed issues on local, regional, and global levels. duced this year’s group to Atlanta. Participants had the op- When completed, the ship will mea- Kasim Reed, the Mayor of Atlanta, Denis Barbet, the portunity to spend five days in the American Southeast to sure 1,180 feet long, weigh 225,282 Consul General of France, and Dr. Alan Abramovitz, network, meet important community leaders, and explore tons, carry up to 8,000 passengers and a political science professor at Emory University were the thriving city. crew, and cost the company approxi- among the presenters at the meeting. Atlanta has grown to become a city with a strong glob- mately $1.35 billion. STX’s shipyard in The group also had the chance to interact with leaders al presence. It is home to the third largest concentration the port city of Saint-Nazaire is one of at the Coca-Cola Company, the CNN Center, The Martin of Fortune 500 companies in the United States, several a handful in the world capable of ac- Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, prominent research universities such as Emory and Geor- commodating such a massive project. and The Carter Center, among others. They also found gia Tech, as well as the Hartsfield-Jackson International The company is well known for having time to explore some of the city’s famous hotspots, in- airport, the world’s busiest air travel hub by passenger constructed some of the world’s most cluding Stone Mountain Park and the Atlanta BeltLine. volume. famous ships, including the RMS Queen Held annually by the French-American Foundation The city also has a growing French community: 120 Mary II and the SS Normandie. since 1981, the program provides the opportunity for French companies have offices in Georgia, and the num- This will be the 12th cruise liner that the group to network and discuss issues of common ber of French citizens living in Atlanta’s city limits is now STX has built for Royal Caribbean. At the concern. It has succeeded in deepening understand- over 1,000, a 20-percent increase over last year. September steel-cutting ceremony, STX CEO Laurent Castaing described the current project as “one of the biggest challenges ever undertaken in the his- tory of our company.” Work on the ship that has not yet been named began in September of this year. The vessel is expected to set sail in 2016.

PUF Laureate Wins 2013 Nobel Prize for Medicine

James Rothman, a biologist at Yale Uni- versity, was awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize for his discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major trans- port system in our cells. He shares the Nobel Prize in Medicine with Randy Schekman (University of California- Berkeley) and Thomas Südhof (Stan- ford University). Professor Rothman and his team have developed a close collaboration Foundation © French-American on this specific topic with a French re- Participants in the French American Foundation’s annual Young Leaders Meeting pose in Atlanta’s Capitol building. search team from the Ecole Normale Past awardees include former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and current French President François Hollande. Supérieure, led by Professor Eric Perez. Their joint work has been supported by the Partner University Fund (PUF) since 2011. The goal of their project is to de- Winners of the NETVA Program Network in San Francisco cipher fusion in intracellular trafficking. PUF is the French Embassy’s flagship The fourth annual New Technology Venture Accelera- ing, and networking in the Silicon Valley. The week’s program for transatlantic research. tor program, or NETVA, concluded in October with week- schedule was designed to help the winners assess their The Fund has yielded extraordinary long immersion programs in San Francisco, Boston, and business opportunities in the US and to facilitate their intellectual progress and is breaking Washington, D.C. An initiative of the Consulate General of expansion into America’s high-tech markets. Work- new ground to foster innovative aca- France in Boston and San Francisco, NETVA is an award- shops were run by several prominent business leaders demic exchanges. It promotes and sup- winning program of preparation for and exposure to in the Silicon Valley, including Steve Blank, who was ports innovative and interdisciplinary high-tech US markets for young French companies. part of or founded eight start-ups and is a recipient of projects, with the aim to establish or After a competitive selection process, 12 high-tech- several teaching awards. The workshops were designed reinforce long-lasting transatlantic part- nology startups were selected in June of this year to to help the businesses improve their strategies, presen- nerships. The PUF offers a single tool to participate in the NETVA program. The winners were tations, and development plans. support multifaceted projects, including paired with American companies for three months of Private meetings were another opportunity for the joint research, shared curricula, dual de- mentorship, which culminated in an intensive immer- entrepreneurs to meet with either experts in their in- gree and mobility. Since 2007, the PUF sion program in a city which best suited their compa- dustry, potential partners, consultants, lawyers, or ac- has supported more than 70 transatlan- ny’s needs. countants. Throughout the week, every laureate had tic research partnerships. On October 6, five of the 12 laureates arrived in San the opportunity to pitch their projects in front of coach- Francisco to participate in a week of mentoring, train- es and other professionals.

6 culture & society en bref NFF

Before Demolition, Artists Turn Paris Building Into Gallery Minister for Women’s Rights Speaks at Columbia U.

On October 14, the World Leaders Forum program of Columbia Uni- versity hosted a conference called “The Balancing Act: Women, Work and Family in the United States and France.” The event featured a conver- sation with Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, France’s Minister for Women’s Rights, and Anne-Marie Slaughter, President and CEO of the New America Foun- dation. © Mairie de Paris / Marc Verhille / Marc © Mairie de Paris During the panel discussion, Ms. Vallaud-Belkacem defended the po- sition that national policies can and should be used to support women’s personal and professional goals. In addition, Dr. Slaughter discussed her June 2012 essay, “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All,” which sparked a national debate about the difficul- ties women face in striking a work- family balance. Dr. Slaughter for- merly served as the first-ever female Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State. © Vingt4mai © Mairie de Paris / Marc Verhille / Marc © Mairie de Paris

Participants in the La Tour 13 project were invited by the Mayor’s Office of the 13th arrondissement to paint the Lichtenstein Retrospective rooms of the building, above, before its demolition in November. French, U.S., and international artists took part. Closes at Centre Pompidou

From July 3 through November 4, Paris’s During the month of October, Paris held its largest artists, such as the Chilean-born Inti Castro, took a Centre Pompidou hosted a retrospective exhibition of street art ever at La Tour 13. In addition more light-hearted approach to the project. Inti used of legendary American pop artist, Roy to being the most extensive street art exhibition, it the project as a way to celebrate the diversity of his Lichtenstein (1923-1997). was also one of the most unique. The project consist- heritage by displaying the colorful figures, symbols, With over 100 major works on dis- ed of the complete transformation of an abandoned and designs of his native country. play, the exhibit served as the first apartment building into a dynamic creative space. Moreover, the artists did not limit themselves tribute to the artist ever held in France. The Parisian Gallery Itinerrance developed and orga- to just spray paint. Doors, chairs, pipes, bath tubs, Mr. Lichtenstein began painting in the nized the endeavor by inviting 100 street artists from sinks, and window frames were used to change the early 1960s along with other iconic around the world to work their magic in decorating structure of the rooms, allowing visitors to enter into American artists such as Andy Warhol the interior of la Tour. labyrinth-like spaces. For example, French artist Sam- and Jasper Johns. The nine-story apartment building, which was lo- bre filled a living room with old doors and window Known for his comic-book like figures cated in the thirteenth arrondissement of Paris, was frames to create the impression of walking through and style, Mr. Lichtenstein drew heav- set to be demolished in November. With the support a maze. ily from mass-produced illustrations and of the property owner and mayor of the thirteenth dis- For the artists, the knowledge that their creations graphic design, as shown below. He also trict, art gallery owner Mehdi Ben Cheikh embarked would be destroyed after the end of the exhibition garnered attention for his taste in art on the ambitious project of giving new life to the only added to the beauty of the project. One French history, creating reproductions of works abandoned building. artist explained that the demolition of the building from Picasso, Monet, and others. Working for more than seven months, the guest epitomized the essence of street art: an art that is in Two of Mr. Lichtensteins’s more artists created a masterpiece of ephemeral art us- a constant state of transformation and evolution. The famous pieces on display at the Paris ing the building’s walls, ceilings, and floors as their destruction of the building itself was yet another artis- exhibit include Whaam! and Sunrise. canvases. Each artist chose and decorated one of 36 tic element of the project. rooms, a total of nearly 15,000 square feet of creative Visitors could explore the free exhibition for thirty space. days only, from October 1 to 31. On November 1, the Three American artists participated in the proj- exhibition closed to the public. ect: Cope2, JonOne, and Indie 18. All three artists However, on the interactive website of the project, are native New Yorkers, but have travelled the world www.tourparis13.fr, visitors had a chance to “save” the thanks to international recognition of their art work. works of art in digital form. For ten days after the clos- JonOne, who moved to Paris in the 1980s, has since ing of the exhibition, visitors could go to the website become a leading figure in Parisian street art, draw- and click on their favorite pieces, pixel by pixel. While ing from an eclectic set of American and French in- the works of art could be preserved in digital form, the fluences such as Jackson Pollock, Jean Dubuffet, and building was eventually destroyed, as was planned even Henri Matisse. from the start of the project. Estate Some artists, like Rodolphe Cintorino of France and La Tour 13 exhibition allowed the public to discover A1one of Iran, used the opportunity to express po- the beauty and diversity of street art by combining the litical messages through their art. Themes displaying work of many talented artists of different backgrounds war, suffering, and oppression moved visitors. Other into a cohesive and interactive work of art. Lichtenstein © Roy

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gies to create an interactive exploration. The famous fres famous The exploration. interactive an create to gies 944-6040 (202) Fax: upon in 1940 and attracted over one million of visitors visitors of million one over attracted and 1940 in upon -

The exhibition uses state-of-the-art digital technolo digital state-of-the-art uses exhibition The region of southwest France, was accidently stumbled stumbled accidently was France, southwest of region - Tel: (202) 944-6060 (202) Tel:

view exact replicas of the famous Lascaux caves. caves. Lascaux famous the of replicas exact view The Lascaux cave site, located in the Dordogne Dordogne the in located site, cave Lascaux The

from France to Chicago and now to Houston. Visitors can can Visitors Houston. to now and Chicago to France from 20007-2182 DC Washington, exhibition by providing a hands-on learning experience. experience. learning hands-on a providing by exhibition

Culture and Communication, the exhibition has travelled travelled has exhibition the Communication, and Culture NW Road, Reservoir 4101 ated. Interactive terminals and multimedia enhance the the enhance multimedia and terminals Interactive ated.

port from the European Union and French Ministry of of Ministry French and Union European the from port SERVICE COMMUNICATION & PRESS - cre was artwork the time the during lived have would

Created by the General Council of Dordogne with sup with Dordogne of Council General the by Created observe life-size models of the Cro-Magnon figures that that figures Cro-Magnon the of models life-size observe - FRENCH EMBASSY FRENCH

old Paleolithic cave art in five life-size replications. replications. life-size five in art cave Paleolithic old FRANCE FROM NEWS In addition to touring the virtual cave, visitors can also also can visitors cave, virtual the touring to addition In

Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux of Paintings Cave The Age: that early man would have used. used. have would man early that 20,000-year- the presents ,

Lascaux Caves of southwest France. The exhibition, exhibition, The France. southwest of Caves Lascaux contact: please unsubscribe, or free) (for amine the paintings under the same flickering candlelight candlelight flickering same the under paintings the amine Stone

ence opened an exhibition featuring the paintings of the the of paintings the featuring exhibition an opened ence subscribe address, your change To - ex they exhibit, the explore visitors As possible. as original

On October 18, the Houston Museum of Natural Sci Natural of Museum Houston the 18, October On and replicated to create an experience as close to the the to close as experience an create to replicated and -

in southern France’s Dordogne region, was closed to the public in 1963 for reasons of archeological preservation. archeological of reasons for 1963 in public the to closed was region, Dordogne France’s southern in William C. Fleeson C. William

This actual-size replica of a fresco from the Lascaux Caves allows visitors to see some of man’s earliest traces. The site, site, The traces. earliest man’s of some see to visitors allows Caves Lascaux the from fresco a of replica actual-size This GRAPHIC DESIGNER GRAPHIC

© Philippe Psaila

Mary Devlin, Claire Morley Claire Devlin, Mary

Sarah Christofides, Christofides, Sarah

STAFF WRITERS STAFF

William C. Fleeson C. William

FEATURE WRITER FEATURE

Sarah Christofides Sarah

PHOTO EDITOR PHOTO

William C. Fleeson C. William

MANAGING EDITOR MANAGING

Dana Purcarescu Purcarescu Dana

EDITOR

Arnaud Guillois Arnaud

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After Chicago, Lascaux Cave Exhibition Opens in Houston in Opens Exhibition Cave Lascaux Chicago, After

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