The wildest building in the world: Graffiti artists given free rein in 10-storey Parisian building for just one month before it's demolished

Th e world's best street artists were invited to create whatever they wished on every surface this enormous building

The result is a dizzying array of colourful pieces, some puzzling, others beautiful, and even some optical illusions

With works completed, the building is now open to visitors for one month only before the block is demolished




Street artists from across the world have transformed a derelict block in Paris into a jaw-dropping ten-storey art installation with designs covering every surface, inside and out.

The tower block, which is planned to be demolished, has been set upon by 100 of the world's best street artists, invited by gallery owner Mehdi Ben Cheikh.

The mesmerising array of colourful designs are now finished and the building is open to the public for just one month before its prepared for demolition next spring.

A rare collection of magnificent street art can be seen for one month only, in a derelict tower block in Paris

Up to 100 artists were invited and given free reins to do as they please with the many blank canvasses in the block

Art gallery owner Mehdi Ben Cheikh gained the necessary permits from the building's owners and the local authority to transform the derelict block into an art installation

It's difficult to miss the striking project, known as Tour 13, which stands tall close to the River Seine in the French capital's 13th district.



Patterns and faces, mythical creatures, animals and scriptures form a rich mosaic across every wall and surface.

Each of the 36 apartments, as well as the stairwells and the exterior brickwork, have been transformed from its drab former form into a fascinating art project.

Mr Ben Cheikh invited 100 of the world's best street artists to come and decorate the 10-storey block - and most of them jumped at the chance to get involved

Enormous faces, looking out, appeared to be a common theme on walls inside and out of the building

Artists used piping and plumbing already in the building to work around and brought in their own props to create their unique designs Some artists created eerie scenes - waiting for spectators to figure out what message they are trying to convey

Others managed to create optical illusions, with boxes that appear to float and walls that seem to be bending Two eyes or one: This clever glaring image was created using a mirrored wall

Faces, some warm and welcoming, others looking more troubled, are a common theme throughout the building, hiding behind corners and in stairwells

Patterns and faces, mythical creatures, animals and scriptures form a rich mosaic across every wall and surface

Mr Ben Cheikh, a former high school art teacher who opened his Itinerrance gallery in Paris 10 years ago, told the Wall Street Journal : 'It has been quite a thrill.'

He secured the necessary permits from building owners and authorities to allow artists inside to work their talents, and personally invited 100 street artists from across the world to get involved.

The Tour 13 art project, in the River Seine in Paris's 13th district, is open to the public for one month only

The building is due to be demolished next spring, but artists seemed to understand their work would not last

Inti Castro, from Chile, explained: 'It's part of life, you do something for the others, once it's done, they see it, they like, and it vanishes'

He told the WSJ he received £4,200 in subsidies from the local government and made up the rest of the necessary funds from his own bank account.

Meanwhile, artists jumped at the chance to get involved. Rudolph Cintorino, from Paris, was inspired by the harrowing war in Syria. His work, in one apartment in the block, offers a grim vision of the country's future, by hanging spray cans from the ceiling, represetning falling bombs.

The building is due to be demolished next spring, but Mr Ben Cheikh secured the necessary permits to allow it to be transformed into a temporary art installation

It's difficult to miss the striking project, known as Tour 13, which stands tall close to the River Seine in the French capital's 13th district

Visitors have just one month to witness the incredible array of street art works all over the building before it is closed off and prepared for demolition

When asked if he was comfortable knowing his artwork will be destroyed next spring, Inti Castro, from Chile, told the WSJ: 'It's part of life, you do something for the others, once it's done, they see it, they like, and it vanishes.