PLEIN-LES-WATTS GENEVA 2019 | Live Street Art

Participation in the Plein-les-Watts Festival in Geneva

During my recent trip to Geneva, just before to go to China, I had the honor of participating as an artist at the Plein-les-Watts Raggae Festival. It was an enriching experience that allowed me to create live artwork. I also had the opportunity to paint in a graffiti session organized by Wall’s Street GVA.

A big thanks to Mic Plasti for his support and warm welcome. This experience was filled with moments of creation and sharing within Geneva’s vibrant street art scene. Year after i came back in Geneva to pay a tribute to Mucha, see more here!

The Plein-les-Watts Raggae Festival in Geneva represents an important meeting point for musicians and contemporary street art, bringing together artists from different backgrounds in a shared public space. Events of this nature play a significant role in the development of urban art by encouraging live creation, collaboration and direct interaction with audiences.

Live painting is a central aspect of graffiti culture. Unlike studio-based work, it requires adaptation to real-time conditions, including time constraints, weather, surface textures and public presence. This dynamic environment influences the creative process and often leads to spontaneous decisions that shape the final artwork.

The Geneva street art scene has developed over the years into a vibrant and internationally connected community. Events such as Plein-les-Watts and initiatives led by WallsStreet GVA contribute to this evolution by providing spaces where artists can experiment and exchange ideas. These encounters strengthen the cultural fabric of the city and support the visibility of urban art practices.

Participating in a live graffiti session during concert also creates opportunities for dialogue between artists and the public. Viewers can observe the evolution of an artwork from its initial sketches to its final form. This transparency is one of the defining characteristics of street art, reinforcing its accessibility and immediacy.

Collaboration plays a key role in these events. Working alongside other artists allows for the exchange of techniques, influences and perspectives. Each participant contributes their own visual language, creating a collective experience that goes beyond individual practice.

Geneva itself provides a strong context for contemporary art events. As an international city with a diverse population and strong cultural infrastructure, it supports a wide range of artistic initiatives. Street art festivals contribute to this ecosystem by activating public space and engaging local communities.

The invitation to participate in Plein-les-Watts also reflects the importance of long-term relationships within the street art network. Collaborations with organizations such as WallsStreet GVA and long time friend like Mic Plasti help build continuity between different projects and cities.

This experience in Geneva took place just before a major travel phase in China, marking a transition between two very different artistic contexts. Such shifts between locations often influence artistic direction, as each environment brings new references, techniques and inspirations.

Live painting events like Plein-les-Watts highlight the performative aspect of street art. The process of creation becomes as important as the final result, transforming murals into temporary events that exist in a specific moment in time.

Ultimately, this participation in Geneva contributes to a broader artistic journey centered on collaboration, travel and public engagement. It reflects the ongoing evolution of street art as a global practice rooted in exchange, movement and shared creativity.