Les Bains

Les Bains was a nightclub in Paris that drew many big names back in the day like Kate Moss, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and many other icons. They partied hard within the walls up until the building was deemed unsafe and condemned in 2010 after terrible renovations. However, the structure has new life; 50 internationally acclaimed artists have basically made the 3,000 square foot building their canvas, creating wonderful street art. Most of the works are large scale and quite impressive. People like FUTURA, INVADER, and Sambre will continue to create art there until April 30 2013. żIt is on November day that Jeanne-Pierre Marois, owner of the building were was located les Bains Douches, the most iconic Parisian night club for over thirty years, contacted Magda Danysz, the Paris and Shanghai owner of MD Galleries. Together they set up an unrealistic project that most people would have brushed off: a 4 month artistic residency where artists carefully selected by the gallery owner would be invited to take over this legendary location. Yet the project had some constraints, from the lack of budget, the required utmost discretion ż the place being closed to the public since 2010 ż and, last but not least, the fact that each and every art piece created would have to be destroyed in the end as the building would go under a total embellishment program in order to be transformed in a luxury hotel. This book is the testimony of this amazing adventure, with the participation of 50 artists from all around the world, representing all the street art generations, and whose only aim was to create masterpieces, as a final tribute to this legendary Paris night club, returned to its former glory.ż (Stéphane Bisseuil) The artist involved: Sambre, Mr Brainwash, Lek, Babou, Teourk, Tarek Benaoum, Poesia, Eva Jospin, Jef Aerosol, SPE, Lek + Sowat, Mosko et Associés, Nasty, LżAtlas, Swiz, Stew, Jay One, Space Invader, Futura, Sten Lex, C215, Vhils, Skki©, Popay, Tanc, Sandra Matamoros, Parole + Sambre + Sowat, Gilbert1, Dem189, Seth, Philippe Baudelocque, Ned + Jerk45 + Stephane Carricondo, Zlotykamien, Apotre, Jeanne Susplugas, Legz, Zeer, Katre, Jean Francois Julian, Joachim Sauter, Wxyz, Psy, Jacques Villeglé, Ash, Ludo, 9eme concept.