The “36” is a youth center for 16-25 year olds. Located in the priority neighborhood of Sept Arpents-Stalingrad in Pré Saint-Gervais, its purpose is to support young people in their job search, provide a co-working space (with computers and meeting rooms), and organize exchanges with external contributors. It opened its doors at the end of 2020.
By asking the Artivista association to create murals with the participation of young people, it is a way of involving them in the personalization of the space and helping them to take ownership of it.
Workshops were held over a week in February 2021. During these exchanges, Jo Ber trained the young people in graffiti techniques. It was an opportunity to talk to the young people about the profession of muralist, to open the door to artistic vocations, and to discover an urban culture that is part of the largest international artistic movement.
For Jo Ber, the goal was “for children to have fun without being afraid of making mistakes,” and in the days that followed, teenagers came to participate in his workshops. These “big kids” aged 16 to 18 were able to give free rein to their creativity by painting on tarpaulins using the Posca pens provided. They painted stick figures, boxing gloves, and their native PSG. They signed their graffiti nicknames. Then they helped Jo Ber draw and paint the two murals that now adorn the walls of 36.
To see them, just follow the little blue figures (signed by Jo Ber, of course) crawling along the steps to the first floor. While the first wall is dedicated to the city, depicted in a huge 36, the second is located in the computer room. This was the perfect reason to paint a large robot surrounded by little characters “representing the young people who come to 36 for help.” The whole thing is done in pastel blue and gray tones.
The 36, as they say, is that little house with cream and wine-colored walls on André Joineau Street. It’s a friendly and welcoming place where young people can meet, use computers, find support for integration, attend workshops, and more. It’s also a place where you can learn how to “succeed in a web interview” and write a “rock-solid resume,” and where you can find forms for “social housing applications” or “training assistance.”
Photo credit
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Catherine Mergalet
Nathan Fretun follow on Instagram