French photographic street artist JR makes the Louvre Pyramid disappear

#Paris :  The French photographic artist, only known by his initials JR, has made a career of showcasing his work in the most public of public spaces around the world. For more than 10 years, his monumental photos have appeared everywhere from favelas in Brazil to New York City’s Times Square to walls in the Middle East. JR recently set his sights on the “biggest museum in the world,” the Louvre in Paris, and its symbolic glass Pyramid, transforming it with a surprising optical illusion art installation. The work “JR at the Louvre” will run from May 25 to June 27, 2016.

JR’s canvases are the world’s building facades, bridges, rooftops and other urban spaces, with the goal of bringing art to the masses — to those not normally confronted by it or given a voice through it. He combines his photography with strong social statements.

Though his work has often been illegally put on display, his art has also been embraced officially in his home city of Paris and elsewhere.

Here’s a look at JR’s latest work in Paris and others he has created.

In this photo, the Louvre Pyramid is in the process of being covered with a giant photographic collage of the museum palace, May 19, 2016.byagencies