Use art to turn the world inside out | JR

Summary

Artist JR recounts his journey from graffiti to global art installations, emphasizing the transformative power of art. He shares stories from projects like 'Women Are Heroes' and 'Face 2 Face,' which humanize individuals often marginalized or misrepresented. JR's TED Prize wish invites everyone to participate in a global art project, challenging perceptions and inspiring collective action to turn the world inside out.

Takeaways

• 📞 JR received a call informing him that he won the TED Prize 2011 and was asked to make a wish to change the world.
• 🎨 Initially, JR doubted the power of art to change the world but later realized that art could shift perceptions and spark conversations.
• 📸 JR began his journey as a graffiti artist, documenting his adventures with a camera he found, which led to his first street exhibition.
• 🔥 In 2005, JR’s photos of his friends from Le Bosquet were revealed by burning cars during riots, highlighting the impact of media distortion.
• 🌍 JR's project 'Face 2 Face' aimed to show the similarities between Israelis and Palestinians by pasting their portraits together in various cities.
• 👩‍🦰 The 'Women Are Heroes' project was created to honor women as the pillars of their communities in conflict zones around the world.
• 🏚️ JR's art in Kibera, Kenya, used vinyl to cover roofs, making the artwork functional and helping to protect homes from rain.
• 🇮🇳 In India, JR used the environment creatively, allowing dust to reveal his art on white paper, avoiding legal issues.
• 🌐 JR's wish for the TED Prize was to start a global art project called the 'Inside Out Project,' inviting people to participate by sharing their own stories through photos.
• 🎥 JR emphasized that art may not change practical things but can change perceptions and facilitate discussions, making it a powerful tool for social change.

Q & A

What significant event did JR mention happening two weeks before the TED Talk?

JR received a phone call informing him that he had won the TED Prize 2011.

What was JR's initial reaction to winning the TED Prize?

JR felt overwhelmed and believed he couldn't save the world, considering the numerous global issues.

What did Amy suggest to JR when he wanted to decline the TED Prize?

Amy clarified that the wish was not to save the world but to change it, which made JR reconsider.

What was JR's first artistic endeavor at the age of 15?

JR started doing graffiti, using the city as a canvas and writing his name everywhere.

How did JR's 'expo de rue' or sidewalk gallery come to be?

JR started pasting small photocopies of his and his friends' photos in public spaces, framing them with color to distinguish them from advertisements.

What significant event in Paris in November 2005 influenced JR's work?

The riots that broke out in the Parisian projects, where JR saw one of his pasted photos revealed by a burning car.

What project did JR undertake in response to the 2005 Paris riots?

JR created portraits of people from the riot-affected area, Le Bosquet, and pasted large posters of them in bourgeois areas of Paris.

What was the name of the project JR initiated in the Middle East involving Palestinians and Israelis?

The project was called 'Face 2 Face' and aimed to show the commonality between Palestinians and Israelis by taking portraits of individuals doing the same jobs.

How did JR describe the impact of his 'Women Are Heroes' project on communities?

The project created a new dynamic in communities, empowering women and leaving a lasting impact even after JR and his team left.

What was unique about the way JR's team pasted photos in India?

In India, JR's team pasted white papers on walls, which would reveal the photos as dust accumulated on them.

What was JR's final wish for the audience at the end of his TED Talk?

JR wished for the audience to participate in a global art project called 'Inside Out' by uploading their photos and pasting them to stand up for what they care about.

What is the main purpose of JR's art projects according to the script?

The main purpose of JR's art projects is to change perceptions, foster discussions, and create a neutral space for exchanges, ultimately aiming to change the way people see the world.