Ending the tour on a high note
We arrive in front of the Méta 2 offices, where a large fresco covers the entire facade. It’s the work of 2 Colombian artists, Crespa & Bicho, who came to Marseille for several weeks to meet the locals, and who transcribed the similarities between Marseille and Medellin. As we enter the studio, we’re greeted by monumental works created by Malik Ben Mesaoud – I won’t tell you what it is, it’s up to you to discover. He was an artist famous for his monumental works, which always conveyed a strong message. Ayakan explains that there are often artists in residence here, who sleep on site. Workshops are also organized for local children. Sometimes even concerts are held here.
After this short break, we head back towards the metro, and on our way down, we pass through little streets reminiscent of the Panier district. We come across a small square, the Jardin Spinelly, which until recently was not very well frequented. But when we came across this little jewel of nature in the middle of the city, a group of local residents got together to create “Les amis du jardin Spinelly”. Today, the garden is a shared one, where small concerts and meetings take place throughout the year, and where we find a beautiful mosaic by Aurélie Masset and even some chickens!
The last work we admire is a fresco by Mahn Kloix, invited by Méta2 to create a work on the empty wall of the Orange Foundation. He had originally intended to create a completely different fresco, but in the end the militant artist created a portrait of an Ouigour woman.
An experience to live and share
The visit ends after almost 2 hours. Leaving Saint Mauront, I realize I’ve discovered much more than a series of beautiful works. I’ve witnessed a living, constantly evolving art form, deeply rooted in its urban environment. I highly recommend that anyone visiting Marseille take the time to discover this route, to see beyond the clichés and enjoy a unique artistic experience.