Just days after Julien Malland’s beautiful graffiti depicting children on destroyed Shikumen grabbed national headlines, Shanghai authorities have had them removed.
The paintings, which depicted children hugging houses and playing among the ruins, were removed overnight after the walls were totally removed.
The local government claimed that the walls were removed for safety reasons, as the paintings were on derelict buildings and could jeopardize viewers’ safety.
However, this isn’t the first time Malland’s work has fallen foul of authorities; some of the French artist’s previous work has been removed from walls in Huangpu District in the past.
Whatever the reason, Shanghai residents have lost out on some beautiful and inspiring art.
Source: Tencent
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Keywords: Julien Malland Graffiti removed
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Perhaps Mr. Malland can continue his work at one of China's latest academy of fine arts, the Hogwarts of the East in Heibei? Wait a second, what are they going to teach at this Hogwarts of the East art academy, creativity? lol www.reuters.com/video/2015/02/01/hogwarts-of-the-east-goes-up-in-china?videoId=363065851
Feb 02, 2015 17:21 Report Abuse
Yesterday, on CCTV 13, the paintings were shown and commented as a great piece of art that embellished Shanghai. the destruction of the paintings was very quickly mentioned, and no explanations was given. If it was for the security of the site, well... The site is still accessible, so if the site was insecure, then it's still insecure. Passive-aggressive, insecure...
Feb 02, 2015 08:36 Report Abuse
"The local government claimed that the walls were removed for safety reasons, as the paintings were on derelict buildings and could jeopardize viewers’ safety." So ridiculous. Safety? How about fixing all the holes in the sidewalks first? Or open manholes without any sort of barricade? The lies these idiots tell get more preposterous by the day.
Feb 01, 2015 10:18 Report Abuse
It would be more accurate to say the wake-up calls from Malland jeopardized China's national safety. For example, the boy and girl in the graffiti (photo above) have no face; how the hell can mainlanders (including CCP) live without a face/facade? LOL
Feb 01, 2015 13:14 Report Abuse
this beautiful art can be made inside some building or may be inside any art gallary , so why the French super hero mad this on broken houses ? chinese gov. understand that reason , they remove it
Feb 01, 2015 08:59 Report Abuse
You're way too blinkered friend. Inside a building / art gallery? You ever met any artists? Of any kind?
Feb 01, 2015 10:42 Report Abuse
Smart of you (and the authorities), the graffiti was too heavy for the wall therefore removing the whole thing was wise.
Feb 01, 2015 13:00 Report Abuse
Would you mind explaining why the paintings had to be removed ? Instead of approving without even thinking 1 minute about it. I can explain why an artist want to avoid an art gallery : to make his art very accessible (few people ever stepped in art gallery), and to keep his edge (as an artist become famous, (s)he might loose inspiration and creativity).
Feb 02, 2015 08:32 Report Abuse
The fun police strike again. China is becoming more and more like North Korea everyday.
Jan 30, 2015 20:10 Report Abuse
It could be that when people see the beautiful art, they also see the Shanghai beneath the facade of glitz and bling, ..., a city of dilapidated buildings, unkept, filthy, and crumbling. Well played Mr. Malland.
Jan 30, 2015 18:12 Report Abuse