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[jim in paris]

Hi all

i've just been part (modestly) to the storming of a new state-owned building in Paris....after the 3 weeks of "submarine" which consists in getting inside unnoticed , restoring power and water,having letters sent to the address (new mailbox and someone to help the mailman drop the letters),the big day of coming out was last Tuesday////huge party with 3OO people showing up at 10 at night ; waiting line on the pavement...it took 2 hours to see the first
uniforms totally taken by surprise....the building has got a "classified " front-piece (can't be destroyed, only restored)and has been for sale for 4 years... it used to be the DDASS Direction Départementale à l'Assistance Sanitaire et Sociale ...an office estate of 7 floors and  3 underground levels , ideal for DJ's and heavy rock bands
the legal action has just started , it's bound to last until the summer minimum
i do not intend to move my workshop there yet however, for stage shows,  there will be plenty of opportunities

i know it's totally unlawful to squatt but these empty buildings have got to be used anyhow : artists and homeless are in need ..

i'll tell you how it goes

jim

[lincolnrick]

Way to go Jim.   I don't think anyone could pull anything like that off in my city.  How did you get power and water turned on?  Phony names?  And 300 people?  Wow..

[the Earl of Whirl]

I love your stories, Jim.  It was a totally new concept to me when you first started talking about squatts.  Interestingly enough, in today's paper there is an article about an artistic group called the Dayton Circus Creative Collection.  They have taken over the old Yellow Cab building.  I want to go down and check it out.  Maybe there will be some wood turners there?

[lincolnrick]

I love our stories, Jim.  It was a totally new concept to me when you first started talking about squatts.  Interestingly enough, in today's paper there is an article about an artistic group called the Dayton Circus Creative Collection.  They have taken over the old Yellow Cab building.  I want to go down and check it out.  Maybe there will be some wood turners there?

Mike, take your top, they'll probably invite you to join their troup!   

[ta0]

I was going to say "only in Paris" but then Mike tells us it happened in his backyard! 
It was an unforgettable experience performing at one of these squats the night I landed in Paris (thanks Jim!)  I remember it took several explanations before I really understood that the multiple story building, with a bar and stage in the basement, had been occupied outside the law.

Mike, take your top, they'll probably invite you to join their troup!   

Your top and your unicycle! You may even manage to get arrested and scandalize your congregation! 

[the Earl of Whirl]

Ha!  In many ways my congregation has already been scandalized by their pastor!!!

I have to clarify myself.  I don't think I made myself quite clear.  The Dayton Circus Creative Collection group took over the Yellow Cab building but it was done legally.  As you wanted to say, only in Paris can they take over a building like Jim's group!

I will certainly be unicycling and juggling around the Yellow Cab building sometime in the near future.

[Gustin Joss]

I am confused. What is the moral justification of illegally occupying property that is owned by another party? Is it a way to "stick it to the man?" Is it done to shine light on what is believed to be a governmental flaw?

I am not criticizing, I am just confused.

[the Earl of Whirl]

I am still wondering about how you all got power and electricity turned on?

[jim in paris]

hello
i'll try to clarify the technical aspect and the topical questions

 how you all got power and electricity turned on?

for power they  replaced the missing fuses and got rid of a locker to get to  the main switch ...
but, EDF the state company uses material you don't find in a DIY shop
the fuses they replaced(size of 2 packs of cigs) came from other squatts, and the electrician in charge of restauring electricity had to cut a few saw blades to make up for the remaining missing ones.
for water it was easier ...you have to open these heavy grids on the pavement to turn on the tap...

Is it a way to "stick it to the man?" Is it done to shine light on what is believed to be a governmental flaw?

it is both with even other motives

1st there's a law in France about unoccupied buildings to be opened in case of necessity I think it dates back from the after war period but was revoted by Mitterand in the 80ties
it is scarcely enforced and so remains our main "umbrella" to face the criticism

2nd as you pointed  "stick to the man " it is a good image...,the question of.temporary reappropriation of state owned buildings...I once told a "gendarme" (motorcycle police officer) that he should behave correctly because I was his employer (he had snatched up my key from the bike before even talking ..) these unsold unoccupied unused unrent buildings deserve better than a speculative life, we are the shareholders!

in addition , there's a high demand for theater rehearsals,music, community groups,artwork and workshop etc ...who do not find place anywhere to exist...no speaking of the many homeless for whom a squatt is simply a roof

the typical alchemy is
a skilled group to open+an active group to maintain the place + people who simply have a roof+people who do an activity+ the squatter's squatters : bums addicts mental cases people who have fallen all the way down..etc////ideally ....everyone can have its space....(violin+an angel is flying by..)


jim

[ta0]

Obviously, as this activity has been going on for many years, at some level the French society tolerates it.  If not they would had changed their eviction laws or they would enforce them more rigorously.  My guess is that it is due to a mix of a socialist streak  in the French heart (let's utilize the empty building for the common good) plus a romantic view of the "starving" (underground, fringe) artist.

[the Earl of Whirl]

Here are some examples of Squatts in Paris.  I got this list from Wikapedia.  Are any of these yours, Jim?  And by the way, what was the name of the old Squatt you were in that closed?

59 Rivoli, Paris
Art-Cloche, Paris
CAES, Ris-Orangis
Espace autogéré des Tanneries, Dijon
Hôpital éphémère, Paris
Les Frigos, Paris
Théâtre 347, Paris

[Gustin Joss]

Awesome. Thanks to all for explaining it. I would like to see it one day.

[trompillo]

hello
i'll try to clarify the technical aspect and the topical questions

 how you all got power and electricity turned on?

for power they  replaced the missing fuses and got rid of a locker to get to  the main switch ...
but, EDF the state company uses material you don't find in a DIY shop
the fuses they replaced(size of 2 packs of cigs) came from other squatts, and the electrician in charge of restauring electricity had to cut a few saw blades to make up for the remaining missing ones.
for water it was easier ...you have to open these heavy grids on the pavement to turn on the tap...

Is it a way to "stick it to the man?" Is it done to shine light on what is believed to be a governmental flaw?

it is both with even other motives

1st there's a law in France about unoccupied buildings to be opened in case of necessity I think it dates back from the after war period but was revoted by Mitterand in the 80ties
it is scarcely enforced and so remains our main "umbrella" to face the criticism

2nd as you pointed  "stick to the man " it is a good image...,the question of.temporary reappropriation of state owned buildings...I once told a "gendarme" (motorcycle police officer) that he should behave correctly because I was his employer (he had snatched up my key from the bike before even talking ..) these unsold unoccupied unused unrent buildings deserve better than a speculative life, we are the shareholders!

in addition , there's a high demand for theater rehearsals,music, community groups,artwork and workshop etc ...who do not find place anywhere to exist...no speaking of the many homeless for whom a squatt is simply a roof

the typical alchemy is
a skilled group to open+an active group to maintain the place + people who simply have a roof+people who do an activity+ the squatter's squatters : bums addicts mental cases people who have fallen all the way down..etc////ideally ....everyone can have its space....(violin+an angel is flying by..)


jim

Bravo Jim¡¡¡
The people who does not know these places believe that alone they are occupied for the own benefit.
I knew the place that they had before and saw a beautiful place where diverse artists share space, musicians, painters, turners... I am glad much that you have a new site where to continue with his art.