Invader Was Here: Paris Street Art in Pixels
written by Amelie Gould
Since 1998, the Parisian street art scene has been dominated by an anonymous artist working under the name of Invader. You’ve probably seen them around—pixelated, 8-bit characters mainly taking inspiration from the classic arcade video game Space Invaders—the root of the artist’s name. Racking in at a total of 1,494 “invaders” across the city, the streets of Paris would not be complete without these unique pieces.
The project aims to make art more accessible and bring recognizable characters into everyday life. From decorating pharmacies and markets to some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks—including the Eiffel Tower and Shakespeare & Co—Invader’s mosaics can be spotted almost anywhere in Paris. Most pieces feature characters inspired by the Space Invaders series, but there are also other references to pop culture and the history of Paris showcased in Invader’s work. From a giant mosaic of Dr. House on the wall of l’hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière in the 13th arrondissement to a pixelated version of the Mona Lisa next to The Louvre, there truly are no limits to Invader’s art. A small, unmistakable portrait of Pablo Picasso was installed by Invader in close proximity to the Picasso museum in the 3rd arrondissement, and other tributes to icons of the art world can be spotted throughout the city. Some fan favorites include an artist invader, wearing a beret and holding a paintbrush in Montmartre’s art-centered Place du Tertre as well as a pixelated bat invader flying near the bell towers of the Notre Dame cathedral. His art is loved by many— “it makes me feel grateful for street art and for Parisian street art culture, it’s a lot different than that of New York. My favorite is the invader near La Tour Maubourg on Rue de Cometè, I see it quite often during my commute,” said Daria Minhas, who has lived in Paris for several months. One of his most recent pieces can be spotted in the 9th arrondissement–a large ghost hovering over Rue de Rochechouart.
“Invader lives and works on Earth” is what his website states. He refers to himself as an Unidentified Free Artist, allowing him to work anonymously whilst being able to attend his own gallery openings and events with nobody knowing that they are in the presence of the artist himself. He studied art—graduating from Les Beaux-arts de Paris and later from La Sorbonne. His artistic mission, bringing street art to cities around the world whilst ensuring that it is accessible, is mainly carried out by Invader himself. He has stated on his website that he has a small team of artists helping him, but continues to place his works around the arrondissements of Paris as a solo artist. With his years of experience, Invader has been able to originate new techniques that allow him to place his art around in a quick and discrete fashion, including spots like highways and the third level of the Eiffel Tower.
Using small, square tiles as his main medium, Invader is able to create a multitude of different scenes due to its versatility. In regards to the Space Invaders franchise as a model for his artwork, Invader has mentioned that he chose these as they are iconic, instantly recognizable and a symbol of the times of technology and its progression. Their pixelated nature also makes for perfect mosaic artwork.
Of course, Invader keeps track of his artwork. He has created a database, containing details such as the date of creation and where each piece is located. With his tracking, Invader was also able to make a game out of his street art. The free application for smartphones titled “Flash Invaders” allows the user to find one of Invader’s pieces in the real world, snap a picture of it and then allow the app to recognize it. Once the piece has been identified, the player gains some points in the game, while also accessing some of the information from Invader’s database.
Invader’s iconic mosaic art is instantly recognizable. He has set a precedent, starting a movement for street artists in Paris and around the world. Many street artists based in Paris have begun putting up their own Invader-inspired mosaics. Aside from his street art, Invader has been part of exhibits all over the world, leading his own solo shows as well as group exhibitions. Invader hopes to leave a lasting impact on the art world, stating that he “...likes the concept of decontextualizing art to bring it to the streets, to surprise everyday people, while constantly creating new pieces. This project, I hope, will leave a print not only on the streets but also on the minds” (Invader Website). The impact of Invader, his mission to make art more accessible and his iconic artstyle has already proven to have left a mark on the world of street art.
