{{Short description|Art gallery in Paris, France}} {{Infobox building | name = 59 Rivoli | image = Squat à Paris (59, rue de Rivoli, 1er ardt).jpg | image_size = | alt = Exterior of building | caption = 59 Rivoli in 2006 | building_type = | architectural_style = Haussmann's renovation of Paris | location_city = Paris | location_country = France | coordinates = {{coord|48.8592|2.3456|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | website = {{URL|www.59rivoli.org}} }}
'''59 Rivoli''' is an art gallery in Paris, France. Formerly an artist squat that had occupied the space since 1999, it was legalized by the city from 2006 onwards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/59-rivoli|title=59 Rivoli|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|access-date=2019-12-02|archive-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116170635/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/59-rivoli|url-status=live}}</ref> The venue became known for its parties, exhibitions, and performances.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/46369/1/paris-is-killing-its-artist-squats-to-gentrify-the-city|title=Paris is killing its art squats to gentrify the city|last=Yeung|first=Peter|date=2019-10-11|website=Dazed|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116170634/https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/46369/1/paris-is-killing-its-artist-squats-to-gentrify-the-city|archive-date=2021-01-16|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref>
== History == thumb|right|59 Rivoli in 2011|alt=Exterior of building The building at 59 Rivoli was formerly a branch of the Crédit Lyonnais bank.<ref name=":1" /> It was abandoned for 15 years before artists took over the six-storey space and began exhibiting art and hosting parties.<ref name=":1" /> The building is from the Hausmannian period of urban renewal and growth in the mid-1800s.<ref name=":2" /> The 6 spiral staircase in the middle of the building climbs 6 floors, surrounded by brightly colored murals on the walls and floors.<ref name=":1" />
In 1999, a group of artists including {{ill|Gaspard Delanoë|fr}} squatted the former bank building, which had been abandoned for 15 years.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The Council of Paris originally planned to evict the artists but backed down when it received positive media attention.<ref name="EP">{{cite journal |last1=Lopes |first1=Ana Cruz |last2=Farinha |first2=João |last3=Amado |first3=Miguel |title=Sustainability through Art |journal=Energy Procedia |date=1 July 2017 |volume=119 |pages=752–766 |doi=10.1016/j.egypro.2017.07.102 |language=en |issn=1876-6102|doi-access=free }}</ref> After years of 59 Rivoli being a squat, the city of Paris considered evicting the tenants.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/prospero/2013/05/09/cleaning-up|title=Cleaning up|date=2013-05-09|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=2019-12-03|issn=0013-0613|archive-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116170635/https://www.economist.com/prospero/2013/05/09/cleaning-up|url-status=live}}</ref> City officials discovered in 2001 that more than 40,000 people were visiting 59 Rivoli per year, and it was the third most-visited center or museum for contemporary art in the city.<ref name=":0" /> Paris city hall bought the building to convert it to a legal space for art studios and tourism.<ref name=":2" /> 59 Rivoli was the first conversion to a legal establishment by the ministry in Paris, but the project has continued since 2006.<ref name=":1" />
Between 2006 and 2009, the building was renovated, opening again with 30 artist studios.<ref name="EP" /><ref name=":0" /> As of 2019, the contemporary art gallery had 70,000 visitors per year.<ref name=":2" /> Artists display and sell works of various media, including paintings, sculptures, and electronic art.<ref name=":1" /> In the artist community in Paris, people debate whether the formally established art galleries provide more opportunities for the artists who work there or inhibit the artistic process.<ref name=":1" /> Other art squats in Paris include Les Frigos.<ref name=":2" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Art museums and galleries in Paris Category:Squats in France Category:Legalized squats Category:Buildings and structures in Paris