Street artist Mahn Kloix created the new fresco in tribute to the rescuers of the SOS Méditerranée ambulance ship, which has been displayed since Friday on the Corniche in Marseille, on the emblematic “Zidane wall” facing the sea.
The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection
Every day, our editorial team reserves the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
The “Zizou” wall. The Marseille legend of French football gave his name to this building wall overlooking the sea, even though his portrait, pasted in 1998 by a sports equipment manufacturer, has disappeared for 20 years. Since Friday October 31, another face has appeared, that of an employee of the NGO SOS Méditerranée whose headquarters is in Marseille. “We replace one national hero with another”explained Mahn Kloix, who created this giant fresco. France 3 Provence-Alpes details three things to know about this work by this committed street artist.
The 100 m² fresco created on the Corniche in Marseille represents a rescuer scanning the sea with her binoculars. “This woman is an employee of SOS Méditerranée taken from a photo from their archives”, explains Mahn Kloix.
“It really looks like it is looking out to sea, so there is a very strong meaning to this location, and then Marseille is a welcoming land that has always been focused on the Mediterranean”.
“The Mahn fresco evokes the very basis of our mission. Our rescuers spend much more time scanning the horizon for boats in distress than saving time”adds Sophie Beau, general director of SOS Méditerranée, who also sees it as a broader symbol. “For me, this image also represents the need for civil society to keep its eyes out to sea, to keep watch at sea because states are failing,” she adds.
Mahn Kloix was born in Paris, but he has lived and worked in Marseille for around ten years. “E“Between an activist grandfather and unionized parents, Mahn Kloix grew up in a committed family, driven by major social struggles.”details his bio on his site.
- -
