Invader, the pseudonymous French street artist, gained worldwide recognition for his mosaic tile works of art, which playfully decorate cityscapes across the globe. Many of these pieces, often inspired by 8-bit video games, add unique charm to the various cities they inhabit. The mosaics, however, have not always been secure. From theft to governmental removal, degradation to reinstallation, the journey of Invader's mosaics has been rough, reflecting broader themes of the destructive nature of street art.

Causes

Theft

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As the demand for Invader’s mosaic pieces is extremely high, people who want quick money will steal Invader’s mosaics, while others may consider them as valuable collectibles. This is not just an act of theft, but is also an insult to the artist’s motive in creating works that serve the community and provide a way for people to enjoy art for free. Not only does removing a mosaic physically destroy the artist’s work, but it also deprives the public of a shared cultural experience.

Due to the strong adhesive used by Invader, attempts to steal these mosaics off the walls often fail miserably. Remnants of the mosaic will remain on the wall, while the mosaic piece is left ruined. Some thieves will even try to repair the missing pieces of the stolen mosaics with store-bought ones, seeking to earn a profit by selling them at an auction. However, these replicas fail to sell due to the lack of authentication and the adverse quality of the piece.

Government Action

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The governmental removal of Invader's mosaics is very often a result of urban policy and regulations. Street art in its nature is lying in the gray area of legality. This is particularly true with Invader’s works, as the gimmick of these mosaics is invading public areas. This may be considered offensive and even illegal by some. As a result, the Government and local authorities may view these works as illegal graffiti and organize their uniform removal. City planners often prefer a systematic and clean city to that with so-called “artistic expression”.

It gives rise to the question, among many others, of whether the government’s removal of these mosaics is to preserve local culture or to simply not taint the public images of cities. In most cases, people tend to say that the removal of mosaics is a battle between artistic freedom and bureaucracy, and sparks debates on whether officials should hold such power to determine what remains in public spaces.

Degradation

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Invader’s mosaics face degradation in quality and presence due to adverse environmental factors such as weather, pollution, and urban development, tile chips, fade, etc. Though degradation is natural, external factors like thievery and forceful removal affect part of the artwork's degradation. Indeed, degradation reflects the impermanence of street art and the transient nature of urban life, but it is also a reminder of the greed and jealousy in one.

As degradation is a natural and inevitable process, it raises the question: Should these pieces be restored, or should they be allowed to evolve naturally over time?

Reinstallation & Reactivation

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Despite the challenges posed by theft, governmental removal, and degradation, Invader's works show remarkable resilience because of its rapid reactivation and reinstallation. In many instances, fans and enthusiasts reinstall the artist’s mosaics which have been degraded and destroyed. Each new mosaic proves the ability of street art to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity, especially with the help of others. These preservation actions not only foster a shared culture among locals and the artist but also emphasize its right to exist in public spaces.

On the other hand, some believe that natural degradation should be allowed, and mosaics should not be restored, as it is one of the major characteristics of street art. This heated debate on the protection efforts of street art itself has long existed, but Invader’s pieces have intensified debates due to their easily replicable nature.

The story of Invader's mosaics is emblematically a reflection of the ordeals of street artists in urban areas. Theft, governmental removal, degradation, and reinstallation are all part of a complex landscape of cultural value and urban policy. We reflect on the fate of these mosaics to remind ourselves of how important it is to preserve artistic expression in our cities. The story of Invader's work is not just about the art; it is about the conversations it generates and the communities reached. In a world where art can be so temporary, the resilience of Invader's mosaics serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of creation in public space.

Table of Contents

Causes
- Theft
- Government action
- Degradation

Reinstallation and Reactivation