Lines of fate : Not all who wander are lost
While wandering the bustling streets of new-age Paris, the urban artist Jordane Saget literally underscored the city’s personality. With chalk or brushes in hand, he created over 2000 works in just a few years, engraving himself in the city’s identity.
From the collection “Vue de Confinement,” amidst the constraints of the COVID lockdown, Jordan Saget invites the public to share their views on social networks. This allows him to maintain his creative spirit. The photographs have been published in a book that supports “Les Restos du Cœur”, a French organisation providing meals to the homeless and those in need.
What was the impetus for you to go on your artistic journey, Jordane?
My artistic journey began during a particularly difficult period of my life, about fifteen years ago. I started drawing lines on paper to express myself and get through this complicated phase. These lines have become a symbol of a change of trajectory in my life. After that, I brought my art to the streets for the first time in 2015, at the foot of the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church in Paris.
What is the true interpretation of your lines? Is there an underlying message?
I prefer not to define precisely what my lines can represent, because that would mean imposing limits on them. My lines, which are graphically very simple, can nevertheless evoke complexity. We should not limit what is complex. They are alive and adapt to their environment, resonating with the place, the situation, and each person’s interpretation. At different times in my life, they have taken on different meanings, and I hope that they will retain this freedom of interpretation.
Anyone can see what they need to feel in their environment: peace, fun, analytical reflection, or even dance, depending on their passions and needs.
As for my influences, they include mathematical and geometric principles, alongside theories of kinetic art and the works of Wassily Kandinsky. My engagement with Tai Chi Chuan and Chinese philosophy has a profound impact on the fluidity and meditative quality of my lines. However, above all, I want each individual to discover their own meaning and connection to it.
Your work is a modern meditative antidote, and we’re curious to know which projects or collaborations you consider to be the most impactful in terms of benefit to humanity.
What touches me the most are the little drawings made in the street. They create moments of surprise, questioning, or simply embellishing a street corner with a poetic touch. The fragility of chalk invites contemplation and appeasement. Each drawing has the potential to slightly alter a passerby’s trajectory, providing a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. The feedback I’ve received often indicates that my lines calm down and offer visual breathing. This ephemeral but significant interaction with art in public space allows me to make a small yet positive contribution to humanity, transforming the mundane into a moment of serenity.
Big-hearted street artist Jordane Saget partnered with the Imagine for Margo children’s cancer foundation to bring creativity and joy to young patients through hands-on customization workshops at France’s Gustave Roussy cancer treatment center.
“My lines have become a form of salvation”
What personal accomplishments bring you a sense of satisfaction?
The greatest source of fulfillment for me lies in observing how my lines alter the paths of individuals within the urban landscape. The favorable responses from those who happened to be nearby often say that my works offer them a break from their daily lives, which is extremely rewarding. In addition, being able to work with prestigious brands while maintaining the integrity and flexibility of my lines is an important achievement. Every project that allows me to continue to create living and adaptable works, whether on the streets or in more formal collaborations, gives me a deep sense of accomplishment.
Jordan Saget carries the Olympic flame on July 20, 2024.
Is it possible for a person to find salvation through the power of artistic expression?
I firmly believe that. Art has the power to transform and heal. For me, drawing lines has been a way to get through difficult moments and has become a form of salvation. My lines have provided me with a new perspective on reality, a lens through which to question and contemplate life around me. Through art, everyone can potentially find a path to well-being and a certain inner peace.
Images courtesy of the artist.