Painted Parisian Cobblestones by Stephane Jaspert
“The highest symbol for the people is the cobblestone — one walks on it, until it falls on your head.” - Victor Hugo (via Jaspert)What at first appear to be misshapen cultural copies are in fact carefully painted cobblestones, extracted from Parisian streets and returned to their places with new life. Artist Stephane Jaspert views these stones as miniature public installations that can encourage big contemplation for those who happen upon them. On his website, he writes that these “ready-made fossils for future anthropologists” also serve a present-day function as reminders of the “mythology of images.” Jaspert hopes that his project can inspire critical consumption of cultural images and their tangible connections to history while also adding some whimsy to one’s walk.
See more of Jaspert’s painted stones at his website here, and on his Facebook page.
