59 Rivoli - The Story Continues.....a l'Atelier

Danielle Voirin writing for I V Y Paris 

Did you ever wonder why the lights went out at 59 Rivoli, AKA Chez Robert, électron Libre?  Why there are no new additions to the facade installations, and the elaborately decorated bicycle of Suisse Marocain is missing from the sidewalk? 

Well, it was almost exactly a year ago that this squat full of artists packed up and moved across town to the 9th arrondissement.  They installed themselves on the top floor of 18 rue de la Tour des Dames, a large one-floor warehouse-style space that last weekend opened its doors to the public. 

Perhaps it was time for a change, because the new place is like a factory.  Maybe that's just the impression of an outsider, or maybe it's the adaptation to more open, communal spaces from the many nooks and crannies of 59 Rivoli.

I'm always being introduced to new artists and new work each time I stop by, and the veterans seem to be in plein forme as well.  It's as ever a feast for the eyes. 

Inevitably, I'm torn between wanting to stay forever, and running home to paint something, sculpt something, get my hands dirty in self-expression. Such places always have that effect on me.

Keep your eyes open for the next open doors, they don't happen often, but it's well worth a look.

L'atelier
18 rue de la Tour des Dames
75009
Métro Trinite