It’s the poster rip, achieved in tile.

Since the 1960s, with the Nouveau Réalisme art group, people like Jacques Villeglé became one of the first street artists to rip and lacerate posters wheat-pasted atop one another in thick layers. Each rip was revelatory, literally, and his process of collage through destruction captured the imagination of everyone from the American street artist duo Faile to the Portuguese titan Vhils. We have even seen a collaged canvas by New York OG abstract graffiti king Futura made entirely of shredded remnants from the street artfully arranged as a collage.

But no one has achieved this effect in kiln-fired tiles, until today.

Another Portuguese artist well-known in the street art/mural world, ADD FUEL, is doing exactly that, laying his design and “resituated” iconography across his signature tile arrangements. There are endless iterations to explore, which may be why he retained the root of that word to give a title to his new show at Galerie Itinerrance in Paris.

“‘ITER’ is built on a collection of distinctive tile patterns inspired by various cultures, combined in the expected celebration of blue, but also an unexpectedly harmoniously integrated with several intrepid colors that aim to explore the journey through the unexplored rainbow path,” says the exhibition description. “Each of these color accents adds a layer of depth and vibrancy to the intricate patterns on display, accentuating the blue palette and taking viewers on a journey of discovery, whilst inviting them to explore the nuances and beauty of each tile design.”

At the root of his practice is his inexhaustible fascination with the tile craft as well as his determined effort to explore within such a medium – one that will give permanence to his work in a way that many street artists wouldn’t dare wish. When you preview this show, you understand why the press release says it is a “stunning exhibition that showcases his remarkable skill and creativity while also drawing attention to the cultural significance of tile design.”

ITER
Latin Noun · a journey · a course · a path.

SHOW INFORMATION
Opening reception with the artist on May 12 from 6pm to 10pm
On view from May 12 to June 17
Free admission

Galerie Itinerrance
24b Bd du Général d’Armée Jean Simon
75013 Paris, France

SHOW INFORMATION
Opening reception with the artist on May 12 from 6pm to 10pm
On view from May 12 to June 17
Free admission

Click HERE for further information about the show.

Galerie Itinerrance
24b Bd du Général d’Armée Jean Simon
75013 Paris, France

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