Loko

Yesterday evening was the opening of an exhibition of the works of Loko, in a gallery of the historic center: At Down, rue du Plan de l'Olivier. The second exhibition of street art this Summer in a gallery, with Sunny Jim, Zoulette & Co at the Studio411.

Loko studied at the School of Fine Arts of Aix-en-Provence. In an interview for la Gazette de Montpellier (n° 1360), he said he didn't learn much in this school. Aix might be more traditionnally orientated than some other schools. Wealthy and taking care of its provencal heritage as well as the tourists, Aix wasn't certainly a place of freedom for Loko. "We remain vandals", he told the journalist. "I don't only graff, I also tag. The cops run after me. People love or hate you for what you do. Lastly, a guy threw a plant pot from his window, I could have received it on the head". I am boldy sincere today, I just insulted in a polite way a journalist I follow on Facebook till he shared news on the Comédie du Livre, because he is pissed off and agressive with the national medias who for the first time acknowledge palestinian propaganda as propaganda and palestinians leaders as blood-thirsty. I told him that denying the edvidences because they stand against his pro-palestinian faith works as negationnism, and that a fanatic faith is not a stairway to heaven.

I will be as sincere as Loko, I understand the bad gardener: for one interesting street artist, there are tens of real indignous vandals, and one doesn't normally know their face, or recognize them in the dark. I don't see any interest in the tags, and this kind of appropriation of the public space, deterioration of the heritage, and of the work of craftmen, this exhibition of oneself through a disproportionned signature is more than childish, somehow obscene. BUT the example is given to them by the rich and powerful persons... The massive trash cans are ugly, dirty, not even massive enough as they are surrounded by more trash, they spoil the view and the pictures, and you don't even imagine the smell. The advertising hoardings should be painted as well as the trash-cans, according to me; they would be the perfect support for ephemeral works, as nothing in town is washed as often. One could also add the new signs of some restaurants and agencies - ugly, massive, cheaply eye-catching, always in the defavor of elegant facades.

So you know what?

I respect Loko for avoiding working on ancient limestone walls and wooden doors.

And... Loko's smiling faces improve and lighten the walk and the views. Some really gentle smiles are precious in any place habitated by humans, the colors are pleasant, all those faces are friendly. One would look for them. This is what the local "photograffeurs" do, by the way.

Now, make up your mind!

After washing...