Invader: In Conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist

A deep dive into the practices of a legendary French street artist

This is the latest installment in the interview series from Swiss curator and critic Hans Ulrich Obrist (born 1968). Invader: In Conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist presents a unique exploration of the enigmatic French street artist Invader (born 1969), renowned for his iconic ceramic tile mosaics inspired by the pixelated 8-bit video game art of the 1970s and ’80s.
The first section of the book features an expansive, in-depth interview conducted by Obrist, guiding readers through the artist’s recent exhibition in Paris, Invader Space Station. In the second section we are guided through his studio, which offers an unparalleled glimpse into Invader’s technical and creative processes and the global impact of his work. The book follows the route of the Paris exhibition, with subchapters that correspond to the ＂levels＂ of the show, reflecting on the conceptual and spatial dimensions of Invader’s work and his position as a ＂hacker＂ of public spaces.
Richly illustrated, Invader maps the artist’s early influences, from the graphic novels of Enki Bilal to legendary street artists such as Leonard Hilton McGurr (aka Futura 2000) and Tsang Tsou-choi (aka the ＂King of Kowloon＂), and his relationship with contemporaries including American artist and activist Shepard Fairey and New York graffiti artist Revs.