59 Riv
A short doc featuring two international artists in a unique shared workspace
59 Riv is a short documentary by May Lin in which she interviews two international artists who partake of the artist community housed at 59 rue de Rivoli. Interspersed with illustrative shots of the artists’ work and the residence itself, Lin’s choice of artists and her interviews with them puts into relief the sharp contrast in the way international artists perceive the Parisian art world. It is a film I hope finds the opportunity to grow so we learn more about international artists’ perspectives as residents of 59 Riv. The film involved the creative and technical talents of Leilani Unama, Ariana Gaytan, and Emm Wilson.
From the Filmmaker
After finishing my fifth semester of college, having learned new skills I never thought I’d pursue from operating a table saw to welding pieces of metal together. The world of sculpture has introduced me to a new way of thinking and seeing. Every time I see a broken chair and scraps of wood on the streets I contemplate whether I should take it as possible material for a sculpture. But then I realize I’m in Paris and I cannot store anything because I don’t live here nor have a studio of my own.
I longed to find a community of artists to connect with my own artistic practice. I started my search for artist studios and ateliers. That’s when 59 Rivoli came up– an art center with a graffiti covered stairwell leading up to artists’ studios. There are rarely any walls or doors to divide up the space, opening the space up for artists to connect with one another. Its colorful and vibrant presence welcomes the passerby.
59 Rivoli, formerly an abandoned squatters building, reformed into an artist collective,
offering studio spaces, performances, and exhibitions for public viewing. As I made my way through the winding space and met a few artists who’d been here since the beginning and some who had just arrived. I wanted to know more about the artists’ work, practice, and how they got to 59 Riv. For many artists, art is a necessity; a way to reflect, explore, and understand their own individual experiences. And having a space like this is essential for community, artistic and personal growth.
Stills
