Gallery Paintings Take to the Streets

by Startacus Admin
'Starry Starry Night,
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless heads on nameless halls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget'
Don McLean ‘Vincent’
Whether you’re a painting, or a person, you might do well to think on this for a moment.
Solemn corridors of art galleries the world over have become an unhappy resting place to unnumbered faces of history; nestled away in darkened corners, shadowed from the fresh full light of day for which they were created.
We aren't thinking of the privileged Mona Lisas and the like, in their much viewed and reproduced splendour, but rather the barely-noticed works of lesser consequence which so often line the walls of galleries merely a supporting act, or curious distraction, before the works of greater significance fade into view.
The undeniable emotive grip that such artworks have over us is surely down to our recognition of self within them. In a world populated with people fearful of their own inadequacy, how could we fail but be moved by such a plight?
Outings
This struck an acute chord with artist and filmmaker Julien de Casabianca on a visit to the Louvre last year. He was looking at a painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, of a young imprisoned woman that he had stumbled upon, almost hidden from view in an indifferent corner of the gallery. A thought grew in his mind; what a marvellous thing it would be if he could free this women, both physically and literally, from the existence she had been assigned to. He resolved in himself to display her on a public street, making sure that she wouldn't be forgotten in this lonely corner of the gallery any more; and so his project Outings had begun.
This nameless young woman has been granted a new home by Casabianca around the streets of Paris, being pulled from obscurity and blending in a fitting yet unfamiliar way with the city's historic walkways. After posting images of the work online public interest in the Outings has been enormous, and over the past year 18 cities around the world have joined him in liberating similarly forgotten characters from their gilded frames and given them a new level of significance by simply placing them unapologetically within the very fabric of their streets.
Isn't it strange how simply looking at something in a different light can completely alter your perspective?
Casabianca's admirable pursuit of his creative vision is certainly an inspiration, but more so perhaps are the paintings themselves. How familiar their pre-Outings plight must sound to so many people, hidden away in their own darkened corners, unaccomplished, playing second fiddle to the more obviously remarkable.
Something to think on of course, but what we particularly like about this project is the way that it showcases how even things which might be perceived as outdated and irrelevant can be given a new lease of life by clever people willing to look at them in a new and innovative way. This is quite often the challenge of the self-starter or entrepreneur; to see the potential and opportunity in the things that others pass by or simply take for granted.
If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like to take a look at these recent posts;
Rain activated art on the soggy streets of Seattle
Dark shadows stalk the pavements of Bristol
UK City becomes People's Republic of Creativity
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.

Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.

The lowdown on FuturePlus, the startup that's on a mission to make sustainability accessible, achievable and affordable for all businesses.

John McLachlan, author and co-founder of Monkey Puzzle Training & Consultancy examines the differences between action-oriented and reflective leaders and which approach is best.

The fitness app that's not just about physical fitness; GoJoe helps employers to engage, motivate and connect their people across all pillars of wellbeing.

Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.

Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.

London-based startup Deep Render tackles the internet’s data and bandwidth challenges via its innovative AI-powered file compression technology.

The lowdown on Dublin-based startup and NUI Maynooth spin-out Neuromod Devices and its innovative evidence-based bimodal neuromodulation treatment for chronic tinnitus.

With the clear shift towards generative AI, Richard Hayes, search director at digital marketing agency Catalyst explores what it means for SEO...
Published on: 18th May 2015
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Startup Sook Receives Investment from Tobin Capital 24th May 2023 Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.
- L Marks Seeking Startups and Scaleups for Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator 23rd May 2023 Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.
- United Utilities Innovation Lab launches call-out for innovative ideas for fifth programme 18th May 2023 Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.
- OneTech Spins Out from Capital Enterprise to Support Underserved Communities in Tech Across the UK 18th May 2023 Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.