Saving Memorial Art from the Rain - Sauver un art de la mémoire de la pluie - 130 Street Photographies after the Paris Attacks {Paris Street Photo}
Saving Memorial Art from the Rain - Sauver un art de la mémoire de la pluie - 15/130 © 2015 CHANT WAGNER
One of the pressing issues to tackle at hand has been the salvaging of the popular memorial art left by visitors on the makeshift remembrance sites which appeared spontaneously after the Paris Attacks of November 13, 2015...
On a rainy late afternoon at République, a crew of five suddenly appeared out of seemingly nowhere, on a mission to save an art piece in particular, a triptych made of paper, which represented the French tricolor flag. Comments ran about how the rain water was getting trapped in the plastic and how they needed to call the City of Paris. They behaved as if they were the keepers of the shrine.
They could have been private persons or people working for the Paris Archives as the latter are currently on a mission to preserve the public's mementos which are now considered to be part and parcel of the history of the capital city of France.
As Christmas is nearing, decorated conifers have started to pop up on the memorial sites.
One day, it's been said in a few media outlets, Parisians will have to let go of these informal shrines dedicated to the dead and the nation. But meanwhile, those are evolving with the festivals, time and seasons, retaining a sense of vitality and life. Even if one day there is bound to be a formal monument dedicated to the memory of all the Paris Attack victims, in all likelihood offerings will continue to be made, as long as people remember.
This photo is part of a series capturing the atmosphere of Paris after 11/13 in 130 pictures, one each day for each of the 130 Paris Attack victims.
Previously:
A Month Later - Un mois plus tard - 14/130
December 13, 2015 - Le 13 décembre 2015 - 13/130
Quentin Mourier, 29 ans - Quentin Mourier - 29 years old - 12/130
I Love You - M - Je t'aime, M - 11/130
Game Over: Culture Shock - Fin de partie : le choc culturel - 10/130
The Blood of the Republic was Shed - Le sang de la République a été versé - 9/130
Under Shock - Sous Le Choc - 8/130
Bullet Holes at the Laundromat - Impacts de balles au Lavratonic - 7/130
A La Bonne Bière Reopens: Shades of Emotions - Une Palette d'Emotions - 6/130
Peaceful Day at République - Jour Paisible à République - 5/130
Woman with a Tricolor Turban - La femme au turban tricolore - 2/130
