Stunning Street Art From The Havana Biennial: ‘Wrinkles of the City’

May 10, 2012 05:51 PM EDT | M. Johanson

A vegetable seller pushes his cart past a creation by Cuban-American artist Jose Parla and French artist J.R. on a building wall in Havana, as part of the upcoming 11th Havana Biennial contemporary art exhibition May 9, 2012. The project, titled "Wrinkles Of The City", involves combining J.R's pictures of Cuban elderly people in the neighborhood with Parla's calligraphic messages, and then pasting them on walls around the city. The Havana Biennial is a major event for contemporary art, attracting artists and curators from all over the world and runs from May 11 to June 11, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS)

Men put up a creation of Cuban-American artist Jose Parla and French artist J.R. on a building in Havana for the upcoming 11th Havana Biennial contemporary art exhibition May 9, 2012. The project, titled "Wrinkles Of The City", involves combining J.R's pictures of Cuban elderly people in the neighborhood with Parla's calligraphic messages, and then pasting them on walls around the city. The Havana Biennial is a major event for contemporary art, attracting artists and curators from all over the world and runs from May 11 to June 11, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS)

Men sit beside a creation by Cuban-American artist Jose Parla and French artist J.R. at a corner in Havana, which is part the upcoming 11th Havana Biennial contemporary art exhibition May 9, 2012. The project, titled "Wrinkles Of The City", involves combining J.R's pictures of Cuban elderly people in the neighborhood with Parla's calligraphic messages, and then pasting them on walls around the city. The Havana Biennial is a major event for contemporary art, attracting artists and curators from all over the world and runs from May 11 to June 11, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS)

People walk beside a creation by Cuban-American artist Jose Parla and French artist J.R. on a street wall in Havana, which is part of the upcoming 11th Havana Biennial contemporary art exhibition May 9, 2012. The project, titled "Wrinkles Of The City", involves combining J.R's pictures of Cuban elderly people in the neighborhood with Parla's calligraphic messages, and then pasting them on walls around the city. The Havana Biennial is a major event for contemporary art, attracting artists and curators from all over the world and runs from May 11 to June 11, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS)

A man puts up a creation of Cuban-American artist Jose Parla and French artist J.R. on a building in Havana for the upcoming 11th Havana Biennial contemporary art exhibition May 9, 2012. The project, titled "Wrinkles Of The City", involves combining J.R's pictures of Cuban elderly people in the neighborhood with Parla's calligraphic messages, and then pasting them on walls around the city. The Havana Biennial is a major event for contemporary art, attracting artists and curators from all over the world and runs from May 11 to June 11, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS)

Cuban-American artist Jose Parla works on a creation on a building wall in Havana, for the upcoming 11th Havana Biennial contemporary art exhibition May 9, 2012. The project, titled "Wrinkles Of The City", involves combining French artist J.R's pictures of Cuban elderly people in the neighborhood with Parla's calligraphic messages, and then pasting them on walls around the city. The Havana Biennial is a major event for contemporary art, attracting artists and curators from all over the world and runs from May 11 to June 11, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS)

The Havana Biennial 2012 kicks off on Friday and the collaboration of street artists J.R. and Jose Parla is sure to be a highlight of the month-long festival.

Exploring the relationship between visuals and social issues, the French "photograffeur" and Cuban-American visual raconteur have transformed the streets of Havana with absorbing murals for their wall-revitalizing "Wrinkles of the City" exhibit.

Featuring the frenetic calligraphic gestures of Parla and the melancholic portraits of J.R., the fused work blends the two disparate styles into a melodious harmony. Parla's topographical notes give J.R.'s elderly subjects a dreamlike quality and the imperfect facades add texture while enhancing the depth and tactile quality of each image.

Like Us on Facebook

J.R. has stated that the street is "the largest art gallery in the world." His collaboration with Parla may be one of his most ambitious undertakings to date.