Collège Louis Lumière Oyonnax
College Mural Project
The graffiti and street-art artist Hetaone has created an impressive spray paint mural at the Collège Louis Lumière in Oyonnax, Jura. This work, done in five days on a high wall using a nacelle (Hetaone has the CACES nacelle permit required for this type of intervention), is a celebration of the ambition and potential of girls from the college, an REP-listed institution.
BEFORE
AFTER
What is a REP College in France ?
REP colleges are institutions located in areas where the school success rate is lower due to various socio-economic factors. The aim of these networks is to strengthen students’ academic success by offering them additional resources and innovative educational projects. The Louis Lumière College, with its fresco project, is part of this dynamic by enhancing the perseverance and ambition of young girls through art.
Inspiring Young Women’s Mural
The theme of this mural is focused on highlighting girls, who too often feel limited in their choices and career ambitions compared to boys. To translate this idea, Hetaone chose to represent a young astronaut girl, a profession still perceived as male-dominated. The figure of the astronaut is painted with his gaze turned to the sky, symbolizing a future without limits and a look full of determination. This strong artistic choice aims to break down gender stereotypes and encourage young girls to dream big and believe in their abilities, regardless of the field.
The Galactic and Modern Universe
The background of the mural is made up of galaxies and stars, evoking the infinite and endless possibilities that are available to everyone. This cosmic setting is combined with tag type writing, creating a visual contrast between the depth of space and contemporary urban culture. These tags bring a modern touch to the work, addressing directly the youth and the world of street art, a visual language that they recognize and with which they can identify.
“Visez la lune” (Aim for the Moon)
An Invitation to Go Beyond
In the foreground of the mural, a phrase is discreetly integrated into the astronaut’s space suit: “Aim for the moon”. This phrase, subtly hidden in the textures, invites viewers to seek it out and discover it, creating a moment of reflection. She is a powerful metaphor for all college students, encouraging them to dream big and not just the minimum.
“Aim for the moon” refers to setting ambitious goals and going beyond expectations, even if those goals seem unattainable. This sentence celebrates boldness and self-surpassing, reminding us that by aiming high, even failures can lead to unexpected successes. It symbolizes the need to believe in oneself and one’s dreams, regardless of the obstacles or prejudices that one may face. By choosing to incorporate this phrase into his mural, Hetaone offers students a message of resilience and perseverance, inviting them to never stop aiming higher.
Work for Education
This mural project at the Louis Lumière College in Oyonnax France shows how art can become a powerful educational tool. By creating a visually engaging and meaningful work, Hetaone has transformed a wall into a space for reflection and inspiration for the younger generation, reminding them that their dreams and ambitions have no limits other than those they set themselves.
