VIDEO. In Toulouse, discover a preview of the monumental works of Mister Freeze
The 9th edition of Mister Freeze begins this Friday, at 5 p.m., in the former premises of the Maison de la Peinture. No less than 70 artists (Toulouseans, French, international) present their various and varied graffiti there, until May 8th. Interview with Cédric Lastrours, alias Reso, graffiti artist for 30 years, president of the Mister Freeze festival.
How did you reorganize the premises of the former Maison de la peinture for this festival?
We have divided its 3,600 m 2 into two parts. The first is dedicated to exhibitions while the second consists of a shop and a gallery where you can find the paintings and installations of the same artists who exhibit. And opposite the entrance, we have a bar and an area dedicated to children where they can learn about graffiti and more… There will be hidden installations and even secret rooms upstairs, including animated workshops by the artists themselves. We made everything ourselves from scrap materials. Outside, there will be, in addition to the collective frescoes on the parishes of the House of Painting, food trucks, a basketball court…
In the exhibition part, we have the impression of moving from one salon to another where the artists reveal their universe…
Absolutely, it is because the place lends itself to it. We welcome 70 artists and as many different universes, as part of Out of the Blue. Some worked on volume, color, perspective, anamorphosis, repeating patterns… In the end, everyone expressed what they wanted during their artist residency. The idea was to have both recognized and emerging talent.
Who are the graffiti artists who exhibit?
They come from Germany, Lebanon, Reunion Island, Italy, Spain, Austria, Lyon, Paris, Marseille, Nantes, … and of course Toulouse and Montpellier. The difficulty for us was to find available artists. With the ”end” of the covid, many called each other everywhere.
Why this 9th edition here?
We chose the premises of the former Maison de la Peinture because it comes to our hearts. They have been there for 36 years. Personally I have been painting for 30 years and I started in this neighborhood where I was born and which was very industrialized at the time. La Maison de la peinture was the store where we tried to stock up. As his old building will disappear, on decision, with Cédric Denjean (Editor’s note: the current co-manager of the Maison de la peinture and a fan of street art) to pay him a last tribute. Tisséo, the new owner of the place, has agreed to lend it to us. It’s quite incredible to come back to this place 30 years later and with this project.
This time, Monsieur Freeze lasts more than a month, is that exceptional?
Until then, we could not mobilize a place for more than a week for cost reasons. Today, Mister Freeze has a fixed location in Montauban where we can organize events as often as we want. In Toulouse, this festival will last a month and a week. We are associated with other skills to offer circus, basketball, BMX, skateboarding… There will be DJs and the public will be able to dance. There will also be themed evenings. Finally, we kept completely free parts where people could buy bombs and try their hand at outdoor graffiti.
Why do you absolutely have to come to this 9th edition?
Because we will feel good there. It’s going to be hot in every sense of the word. There will be great encounters to be had. Finally, it will be very colorful. Mister Freeze is not just painting, it is above all a family, human and collective adventure where all the partners work together.
Mister Freeze hands-on
Before being destroyed to make way for a metro station, the walls of the former Maison de la peinture house the graffiti of 70 artists, until May 8, as part of the 9th edition of Mister Freeze.
The artists : Idex, Bibi, David Mesguich, EPS, Jibeone, Korail, Mondé, OXI, Pupet, SWD, Tres Tony, Veks, Wow123…
Opening time : Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: open from ︎10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday: closed. Hours change during school holidays.
Entrance fee : 3 to 5 €. Unlimited pass: 8 to 12 €. Workshops: 18 (skateboard) to €38 (graff on the wall).
Address : 105 bd de Suisse, in Toulouse.
Learn more:www.expomisterfreeze.com