Located at 59 Rue de Rivoli in Paris, the AfterSquat is a six-story building that houses artist studios and exhibition spaces. Its colorful façade and creative activity set it apart from traditional galleries and museums. The space serves as a functional site for artists to work and showcase their art, fostering interaction between creators and visitors.
The creative interior of 59 Rivoli, featuring artists at work and the eclectic decor that defines this dynamic art collective in Paris.
A Bold Beginning
The story begins on November 1, 1999, when three artists—Gaspard Delanoë, Kalex, and Bruno Dumont—found their way into the abandoned Haussmannian building. Previously owned by the Crédit Lyonnais and sitting vacant for nearly eight years, the building had become a husk of its former self. The artists saw potential where others saw decay. Entering through a rear window, they set up what they called Chez Robert: Électrons Libres, a name as eclectic as their vision. This bold occupation marked the beginning of what would later be known as the AfterSquat.
In those early days, the building was in a state of desolation. “It smelled of dead pigeons,” Gaspard recalls, painting a vivid picture of their initial challenges. Despite the disrepair, the artists transformed the space into a hub of creativity, attracting over 40,000 visitors annually within just a few years. Their work spilled beyond the confines of traditional galleries, turning stairwells and walls into canvases and transforming forgotten rooms into vibrant studios.
From Squat to AfterSquat
The unconventional nature of 59 Rivoli placed it at the heart of political and cultural debates. The prospect of eviction loomed large until Bertrand Delanoë, elected mayor of Paris in 2001, stepped in. True to his campaign promise, Delanoë legalized the occupation and allocated significant municipal funds to secure and renovate the building. By 2009, 59 Rivoli had completed its transformation from a squat into what Gaspard and his companions coined the Aftersquat. The name reflects their refusal to conform entirely to institutional norms while embracing a sustainable model for their artistic community.
The vibrant façade of 59 Rivoli, a former squat turned iconic Parisian art collective, showcasing its eclectic and colorful designs.
Today, 59 Rivoli is a unique hybrid—a space for artistic creation, residencies, and public exhibitions. Unlike commercial galleries, it fosters a direct connection between the visitor and the artist. The art is alive, dynamic, and deeply personal, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the creative process.
A Cultural Crossroads
The building’s six floors host a rotating collective of 30 resident artists, each bringing their distinct style and narrative. The art is not confined to static displays; it is created in real-time, inviting visitors into the intimate act of creation. Sculptures, paintings, and installations inhabit every corner, including the stairwell—a spiraling journey adorned with layers of vibrant murals, repainted periodically to ensure it remains as dynamic as the art within.
This ethos has earned 59 Rivoli a place in guidebooks and even promotional films, such as those shown on Air France shuttles. With free entry and an annual visitor count reaching as high as 70,000 in its peak years, the AfterSquat is both a cultural landmark and a community endeavor. Donations left by visitors—often modest but heartfelt—help sustain the space.
Already the staircase sets the tone at 59 Rivoli…
A Resilient Spirit
Like many cultural institutions, 59 Rivoli faced existential challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. With its doors closed for months, the collective lost vital income generated by visitor donations and partnerships. Yet, resilience is woven into the fabric of this space. During the lockdown, the resident artists undertook an ambitious project to repaint the stairwell, infusing it with fresh energy and creativity. These efforts, carried out under difficult circumstances, underscore the spirit of the AfterSquat—a determination to persist, innovate, and inspire.
Despite its precarious financial footing, 59 Rivoli continues to thrive as a beacon of alternative culture. Its appeal lies not only in the art but in the philosophy that underpins it: an art space free from commercial constraints, where the interaction between visitor and artist is unmediated and authentic.
The AfterSquat Today
Walking into 59 Rivoli is akin to stepping into another dimension—a realm where the ordinary fades and the extraordinary takes center stage. The façade itself, a mosaic of artistic interventions, sets the tone for what lies within. Inside, visitors weave through six floors of studios and galleries, each a testament to the boundless creativity of its occupants.
Here, art transcends its traditional boundaries. There are no sterile white walls or rigid curatorial narratives. Instead, visitors encounter a kaleidoscope of styles, mediums, and ideas, all unfolding in real-time. It is this immediacy and accessibility that sets the AfterSquat apart. The art is not confined to passive viewing but invites dialogue, reflection, and interaction.
The AfterSquat also serves as a platform for international exchange. Its artists have exhibited abroad, including at prestigious venues like the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. These collaborations extend the reach of 59 Rivoli, highlighting its role as a nexus of contemporary art on a global scale.
Six floors of studios and galleries at 59 Rivoli…
The Power of Connection
At its core, 59 Rivoli is about connection—between artists and their work, between creators and audiences, and between a building and its history. It is a place where past and present intertwine, where the spirit of the squatters who claimed the building continues to inspire new generations of creators.
For those seeking an alternative to the polished museums and galleries of Paris, 59 Rivoli offers something raw and invigorating. It is a reminder that art, at its most powerful, is not confined to pedestals and frames but exists in the shared spaces between people.
Visiting the AfterSquat
Located at 59 Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement, the AfterSquat is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 1 PM to 8 PM. Admission is free, though donations are welcomed to support the ongoing work of its artists. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a curious traveler, this is a place that promises to leave a lasting impression—a living canvas that reflects the vibrant soul of Paris.
59 Rivoli, The Aftersquat official home page: https://59rivoli.org
So did you find the paintings that my daughter did a coupe of years ago?
Hello my old friend 🙂 This is pretty much the blog that you and I were planning to set up about 10 years ago. No, unfortunately I did not see her work at 59 Rivoli but I remember you showing it to me elsewhere, very impressive and I am sure that she is even better today. Send me some good ideas to write about here when inspiration strikes you…merry Christmas Ulf!