An almost unique documentation of the graffiti scene in a major capital. A photographic report carried out over almost twenty-five years. A unique account of a Paris that has almost disappeared and an era that crowned the success of hip hop culture.
Paris, 1980s: the city roars, the walls speak, and the night belongs to the bold. Florent Schmidt, a self-taught photographer, captures the raw soul of a city in upheaval. In the heart of the action, he follows underground graffiti artists—visionary vandals turning subway cars and concrete walls into wild works of art. Nocturnal escapades, spray cans, concrete, and dreams—this is the stage for an artistic rebellion that left an indelible mark on the French capital. More than a book, a powerful testament. Featuring portraits of over a hundred graffiti legends and snapshots of an era where everything felt possible and the streets made the rules. From the gritty 1980s to the creeping gentrification of the 2000s, this book captures the essence of a Paris that no longer exists. Florent Schmidt’s lens is relentless, his eye unapologetically honest. His shots don’t just freeze reality—they electrify it, provoke thought, and hit straight to the heart. A living memory of Paris’s underground: to read, to showcase, to feel.
