The enigmatic French street artist known as 'Invader' has once again left his mark on the streets of Paris, this time in celebration of the Olympics. Since the 1990s, Invader has been clandestinely affixing his distinctive mosaics to walls across Paris, becoming one of France's most renowned contemporary street artists. His works, characterized by quirky Space Invader figures, can be found throughout the City of Light, delighting fans who enjoy the thrill of hunting them down.
The latest addition to Invader's collection is an Olympic-themed mosaic, featuring one of his iconic running Space Invader figures. The artwork, created using colorful tiles reminiscent of the Paris Games' branding, was installed on a wall along the River Seine between Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to a representative for the artist, who maintains anonymity like Invader himself, the new mosaic was intended to commemorate the Paris Olympics. Fans of the artist can track down his works using the 'Flash Invaders' app, which allows them to earn points by photographing the mosaics they discover. With nearly 400,000 players, the app has cultivated a dedicated following.
This latest mosaic marks the 1,512th installation by Invader in Paris, with players receiving 50 points for flashing it on the app. Since his first mosaic appeared in 1998, Invader has expanded his reach globally, with over 4,000 mosaics now scattered across cities worldwide, excluding Antarctica.
On social media, Invader shared a photo of the new artwork with the caption 'Special Olympic Games Paris 2024,' signaling to his admirers that a new piece was waiting to be found. Fans wasted no time in locating the mosaic, capturing it with the app, and reveling in its presence.
One devoted fan, a retired chemical engineer named André Lavigne, who ranks among the top 100 players on the app, expressed his excitement at discovering the new mosaic. Another enthusiast, Gema Calero, emphasized how the hunt for Invader's works has enriched her experience of Paris, encouraging her to observe her surroundings more keenly.
Similar to the elusive British artist Banksy, Invader operates in secrecy, evading identification and embracing the thrill of illegality in his artistic pursuits. His pixelated mosaics, crafted from ceramic and glass tiles, often pay homage to popular culture icons, from arcade game aliens to beloved characters like Spiderman and Ninja Turtles.
Invader's latest creation has already captivated the attention of Parisians and visitors alike, underscoring the enduring appeal of his whimsical and clandestine artistry.
