La sentinelle de la Corniche

Mahn Kloix is an artist whose talent has been shining in public spaces for over 10 years, creating monumental frescoes that capture attention and provoke reflection. His work is not only an artistic expression, but also a genuine social commitment. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prestigious associations and NGOs such as Amnesty International in Paris, SOS Méditerranée and Médecins du Monde in Marseille, to raise awareness and convey strong messages through his works.

SOS Méditerranée, this civil and European sea rescue association, was born of a citizen's desire to put an end to human tragedies in the central Mediterranean. Since its creation in 2015, its mission has been to save lives, protect survivors and bear witness to the dramatic conditions at sea. To date, more than 31,800 lives have been saved thanks to their courageous action.

In 2023, Mahn Kloix created an impressive fresco on ropes in Rillieux-la-Pape, as part of the Street Art Rillieux festival, in partnership with equipment manufacturer Petzl. But it was in Marseille, the emblematic port city, that Petzl reaffirmed its support for street art by teaming up with Mahn Kloix, the only French street artist to create XXL frescoes on rope. Together, they have created a work whose central visual depicts a woman scanning the horizon, her binoculars pointed at the sea. A powerful image that illustrates the very heart of SOS Méditerranée's work: observing, keeping watch and saving lives.

The location of the fresco, and its message, resonate deeply with the history of Marseille. This city, both port of refuge and protector, turned towards the sea, becomes the ideal setting for this work. The poetic and symbolic image of the woman sweetening the horizon can be seen as a vision of the future, of hope and solidarity. It also embodies a message of vigilance, a call not to look away in the face of human tragedy.

This fresco is more than just an artistic creation. It becomes a living, vibrant symbol of the city's commitment, of the associations that take root here and of the residents who, through their solidarity, shape the soul of Marseille. It's a work that places humanity at the heart of the public space, and invites everyone to look beyond the horizon, towards a future of greater justice and solidarity.