What is a museum? A museum can be inside or outside, a garden, a park or even a Metro station. This week we go underground to explore the Paris Metro’s  “CIRCULATION(S) – Festival de la jeune photographie europeenne.”

Not everybody goes to museums but almost everybody goes through the Metro so everyone gets to experience at least a small slice of art, or rather a BIG slice, the photographs are blown up and placed on the Metro’s billboards.  Of course, most of Paris is an art piece in itself, but to truly experience a portion of a museum is wonderful. The photographs are stunning and compelling, it takes a dull, smelly subway and makes it palpable while waiting for the next train to arrive.

16 Metro stations were picked to showcase 40 photographs and talent from across the world. It offers a fresh perspective on Europe through the photography and is open to artists worldwide.  The purpose of the festival is to show the public innovative contemporary art and to encourage intercultural exchange.

The images were selected by a jury chaired by Xavier Cannone , Director of the Museum of Photography in Charleroi and sponsor of this edition , as well as a gallery and school.

Watch the video below, you may not understand what they say, but you get the picture, no pun intended.