Paris is covered with Space Invaders, one of which was pointed out to me when Rosie arrived (so I have her to blame for getting me 'hooked') after she'd seen a programme on Banksy and they'd also done a bit of research on 'Invader'. Invader is a French Urban Artist who pastes up characters inspired by the Space Invaders game, made up of small coloured square tiles that form a mosaic. Invader started this project in 1998 with the invasion of Paris - the city where he lives and the most invaded city to date. I was just researching a bit about it all yesterday after seeing one on Rue des Pyramides (near Place Vendome), and it turns out there are 704 'space invaders' just in Paris. There's a few maps which vaguely list street and road names, so this morning I scribbled down a list of street names in the 18th Arr. - close to the flea market, and headed off. (Note to self: be more precise...)
Side note: The flea market was awful. I realised that no fleas whatsoever please me, not even the 'market' kind. It was like, all the creeps and dodgy sellers than hang round Paris, in one small market space. With even more crappy things to sell and shove in your face. I thought I might get shot in the area it was in, it was like downtown Baghdad. So no pretty parisian antique accessories then.
Back to the invasion. It's a tough mission. They are pretty much dotted all over Paris in random order, and in positions where hardly anyone notices them. Requirements: comfortable FLAT walking shoes, and wrap up warm! I walked up at least 3 roads - REALLY LONG ROADS, like, ACROSS an entire arrondissement, and found nothing. NOTHING. Nada. And it really bugs you - it makes you really determined to find these damn buggers! So half the morning I spent grumbling about how if 'I ever came across this Invader-guy, I'd.. I'd...' you get the picture but by the afternoon though (I spent 7 hours total before it got too dark) I suddenly appeared behind Sacre-Coeur feeling a lot more positive. I've seen so many pretty cobbled streets and shops, and walked round practically every blasted street in the 18th, but it was so amazing! It's even better than Fashion Week, because you get a real feel of the city - where everything is and all the hidden places - without the waiting around for shows and disappointment when Lagerfeld drives out of the show... And by the end, I'd hit the centre of Montmartre into the evening hustle and bustle - seeing Moulin Rouge all lit up and the cafe's pouring out heat and lovely smells... Despite the stresses this morning and thinking 'why don't I just give up', it was really worth it.
If anyone knows this man, I'd love to throttle the swine! But I had a good day, and once your feet are in buckets of ice and you've collapsed onto your bed and not moved for a good 20 minutes, it is a nice feeling looking through your photos. And then realising you have to do the same again another NINETEEN TIMES at least (20 arrondissements altogether).
Whilst searching high and low for these mosaic tiles (and you never know if you're searching for one that's been demolished/removed/built over), I came across many other graffiti and clever wall art. These wall 'plasters' were another favourite of mine. :)
And finally, by 7pm I was back at the centre of Montmartre to see Moulin Rouge lit up.
So the amazing-ness of Space invader Stalking is that it's completely free, relatively fun when you actually find one, and there's no hassle on closing hours or lunch hours or anything daft like that. Seriously, anyone looking to firm up those Glutes, get onto this mission! I've walked for seven hours total and I feel like I've trekked up Kilimanjaro!! But, the beauty of this 'game' is that you see the complete life of Paris, and all the non-touristy hide outs and boutiques. Which was where I was when I spotted these incredible candles, all for 25€ which is absolutely incredible and will look perfect in my new room. :D
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