French photographer JR has gained global recognition for his impressive black-and-white portraits of ordinary individuals, which can be found adorning the walls, rooftops, and bridges of numerous cities worldwide. With his pseudonym and signature sunglasses, JR claims to "own the largest gallery in the world," thanks to his widespread public art installations.

JR's colossal portraits have graced various locations, including the U.S.-Mexico border, where a 20-meter-tall Mexican toddler peered over the border wall. His aim is to connect people and create a reflection of society through his art, often targeting neighborhoods affected by socio-political tensions.
 

▲ JR, the elusive French artist and photographer. Courtesy of JR-ART.NETThe Lotte Museum of Art in Seoul is currently hosting JR's touring retrospective, "JR: Chronicles," marking its debut in Asia. The exhibition traces the evolution of his iconic public photographic projects and emphasizes his mission to foster connections and challenge societal perceptions.

JR's journey as a photographer began at the age of 16 when he stumbled upon an old film camera left on the subway. Under the alias FACE 3, he documented his graffiti artwork and the actions of his friends, subsequently pasting enlarged black-and-white photocopies of these images illegally throughout the city. This sidewalk gallery, known as "Expo 2 Rue," became his way of exhibiting his photography when he was unaware of traditional galleries and museums.

In 2004, JR initiated his first major public project, "Portrait of a Generation," which involved capturing close-up images of young residents in Parisian suburbs known as "banlieues." These portraits were then enlarged and pasted across upscale neighborhoods in the heart of Paris. By allowing the youth to play caricatures of themselves, JR provided them with agency in shaping their representation in the media and challenging stereotypes.

JR's photographs took on a new meaning during the subsequent three-week riots over youth unemployment and police harassment in the banlieues. The intimate perspective offered by his 28mm lens contrasted with the distant shots used by mainstream media, presenting a more empathetic portrayal of the events.

▲ Installation view of JR's "Face 2 Face" (2006-7) at the Lotte Museum of Art in southern Seoul / Courtesy of Lotte Museum of ArtContinuing his journey, JR embarked on the "Face 2 Face" project in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip between 2006 and 2007. This endeavor showcased pairs of close-up portraits featuring Palestinians and Israelis working in similar professions. The enlarged portraits were displayed on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian border wall, creating the largest illegal photo exhibition at the time. The project aimed to challenge preconceived notions by revealing the commonalities between individuals on opposing sides of the conflict.

As JR's projects gained momentum, they expanded in ambition and scale. Inspired by Diego Rivera's monumental frescoes, JR began creating large-scale murals symbolizing entire communities or cities. For his "Chronicles" series, he traveled to Parisian suburbs, San Francisco, and New York with a mobile studio truck. There, he interviewed and filmed thousands of residents against a green screen before merging the individual images or videos into impressive collages.

One prominent installation of the series, "The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America," featured on the cover of Time magazine in November 2018. Through 245 portraits representing various perspectives on gun control in the U.S., the mural sparked dialogue between opposing groups, allowing them to see themselves and engage with others' viewpoints.

▲ JR's "The Chronicles of New York City" (2019) / Courtesy of JR-ART.NETJR's commitment to using images as a platform for connecting and perception change continues through his ongoing participatory project, "Inside Out." This initiative invites people worldwide to submit self-portraits, which are printed and returned to them as paper posters. Participants can display these prints to highlight local issues or statements. Over the past decade, more than 500,000 portraits have appeared in 149 countries.

JR's impact on numerous locations worldwide showcases the transformative power of art. The artist expresses his passion for the influence of art, stating, "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. It's just paper ― but if it works, it can have a tremendous impact."

The current exhibition, "JR: Chronicles," is being held at the Lotte Museum of Art in Seoul and marks the first time the retrospective has been showcased in Asia. Visitors can explore JR's evolution as an artist and witness the power of his public photography projects, which have brought communities together and challenged societal norms.
 

▲ "Migrants, Mayra, Picnic Across the Border, Tecate, Mexico-U.S.A" (2017) Courtesy of JR-ART.NET"JR: Chronicles" runs through Aug. 6 at the Lotte Museum of Art.

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Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com