Who says that sports and art are not compatible? Definitely not the Groupama Stadium in Lyon! The stadium has just inaugurated "Offside Gallery," an urban gallery that presents a selection of established and rising artists from all over the world. Here's a guided visit to this sports mecca, where art now has its proper place in the front row.
Give urban art its proper place in the public eye—this is the will of the Birdy Kids duo, the collective from Lyon organizing the Offside Gallery project. And is there a better place than this immense and iconic sports institution to reach the broadest audience?
From Lyon and more
In a state of constant change, the gallery will host new artists every month. You can find Melle Terite, Monsya and Maxime Ivanez from Lyon as well as other French street artists like Jef Aérosol from Lille, Zest from Montpellier and Shaka from Paris among those who are already exhibited.
Colorful bird
Exhibited works are created in place by artists selected by the Birdy Kids collective, who also present their own works in the gallery.
Liberty
The artists are entirely free in their creations, which is one of the absolutely essential conditions of street art. You can recognize Dourone's style in this work, which has become an iconic piece of the gallery.
Delusions of grandeur
Now, Offside Gallery covers only a part of the available space of the stadium, but it aspires to extend and become the greatest permanent urban art gallery in the world.
With more than 59,000 seats, the Groupama Stadium is the third biggest stadium in France. Home to the Olympique Lyonnais, this ultra-modern complex hosts shows as well as major sporting events. It also hosts an escape game, the museum of the Olympique Lyonnais and a Bocuse group brasserie.
By The editor
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