SPIKTRI STREET ART UNIVERSE

The former cooperative cellar in Ferrals-les-Corbières, with its 14,000^m2 of floor space, was the ideal location for free artistic expression. So when Spiktri, an internationally renowned artist, took possession of the space, the results were nothing short of mind-boggling! The 2,500-odd works by Spiktri and his loyal Gangsea team are by turns extravagant, provocative, amusing and disconcerting. They are intended to raise awareness of the absurdity of a world that is self-destructing, dying of greed and blindness, and invite us to react. As soon as we arrive outside, we discover the fascinating sculptures and graffiti covering the buildings. The surrealistic tour then moves on to 18 bewildering "planets". It begins with the artist's first works, Earthrum, representing the Earth in perdition, and in the basement, Aggressive art, the darkest planet in the Spiktronian galaxy. The light-and-music tour then takes us through various universes, including Gangstarium, a tribute to illustrious artists such as Caesar and Andy Warhol, and Cybertrium, the planet of Anonymous and technology. We discover a fascinating world ranging from skulls, giant skulls created by Spiktri, to some 200 graffiti works co-created with his friend Azba, a talented graffiti artist from Aude. The tour comes to a climactic close in the heart of the former giant vats with Katedrarium, the planet of the 8 deadly sins, and Duelirium, in search of a balance between good and evil. The "Tree of Life" in the latter is a reminder of the past, and a moving tribute to the men who worked the vines and wine here for decades. At the end of the visit, feelings vary according to the different stages and perceptions of each visitor. In every case, however, we are challenged and forced to react. Far from being static, this place is constantly evolving. A wide variety of objects and materials are deconstructed, broken, carved, twisted, torn and shattered, then hijacked, recycled, glued, welded, reinvented, painted or decorated without codified rules. The motto of Spiktri, the brilliant local artist, "In art, no laws or rules", takes on its full meaning here. Whether you're a connoisseur, a neophyte or simply curious, a visit to this atypical "multiverse" takes a good two hours.