JR: Can Art Change the World? | TED

Famed for enormous black-and-white portraits that are pasted on surfaces ranging from the Louvre to the US-Mexico border wall, multimedia artist JR continues to tackle ambitious projects. In this powerfully moving talk, he shares how he made a giant mural on the courtyard floor of a maximum-security prison -- with the help of guards and prisoners alike -- and ended up with much more than a compelling image.
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• JR: Can Art Change the...
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[@nprpodcasts]

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[@NormanEschenfelder]

That actually brought me to tears. Believe me or not. I am an artist myself and am very self conscious about my work. You taught me about sincerity and bravery. Thank you.

[@iamdihan]

same

[@vanessaecheverriamaquilon7797]

I'm a TEFL teacher at Fine Arts University in Guayaquil, Ecuador. And today I have shown your TED talk to my English 5 students from different Arts careers such as: Visual Arts, Literature, Musical Arts, Filmmaking among others; and they were amazed and moved about your projects. We ended up talking about how Art is changing people's minds. So, thanks for everything you are doing. You have motivated my students to improve English and got inspired as well!

[@nicatmardanovp1257]

This was the most fascinating Ted talks I have ever seen. It was amazing. Thank you JR to show us how art can break the walls and bring people together

[@upcomingsarcartist2937]

Damn this is of the most powerful explanation of what art actually is ….as an artist myself….. it really got me tears and joy at the same time …. Yes art can really change the world …🥺❤️❤️

[@andycordy5190]

This is mind blowing, visionary and very moving. I worked for six years with lifers as a teacher of pottery and I know first hand how introducing inmates to creativity can invigorate them. This work, perhaps the scale of it, has had a powerful effect on people's lives, both inside and outside of the prison but much as I want their stories to be told, I know enough to recognise that their story is not THE story. That is not to say that all inmates will create a story that denies their wrong doing but all of them will have a story which allows them to live with what they have done or else they cannot live and that story will not be what the other characters in the story recognise as theirs.

[@arinabuys]

My heart is literally broken….I am studying English so sometimes I listen to TED videos on different topics to make my level grow. I have watched this video more than 3 times and every time I cried. It is so touching, I am so proud of JR and things he does. It’s fantastic. We should watch more positive videos to become more sensitive, supportive and kind to our people and break the walls between us, especially nowadays 🥺

[@joymobevents]

I’m so moved by your courage to show us as your authentic self and be seen through your work and the positive ways you use your art... Tears of joy!…

[@coolguy2789]

Dude. You touched my heart. Namaste 🙏🏽

[@realjames5istaken]

Criminally underrated talk, fantastic work

[@dylanramirez6948]

This is by far one of the most impactful Ted talks I've heard in a while, so proud of his work and the way he brings people together through art, for sure he's not just changing man's, he's contributing to the building of a better world as well.

[@christinaolmos1293]

This brought me to tears allso. There is goodness still in many of their hearts

[@1976LFonseca]

This moved me to tears 🥹 Much love to you and your beautiful images ♥️♥️♥️

[@calebesevero2669]

"Art as a bridge"... It's an amazing quote !

[@cathylivingston368]

Wonderful! Your art, your work, your talk, your humanity. Well done, and truly inspiring.

[@JonSawer]

Art presents reality in a way that may change the vision and perspective of the individual towards the world, however properly more so I believe within ones immediate surroundings or their own particular society.

[@kanakraj3198]

A beautiful story. Heartwarming! Something that only ART can do!

[@tammymay1839]

Big Love ❤️ for this message and insight!!

[@calebesevero2669]

It's one of the reasons because I love art ! Art can change the world without words.

[@beautifulcrazy]

Omg this is fantastic! Powerfull message and a great humour as well

[@LinksToYourHeart]

As an artist who survived her childhood because of art, this brought me to tears. I continue to use art as a therapeutic outlet.

[@neetaram3542]

You are simply awesome artist who can bring in the changes with his Sincerity and genuineness

[@nmkone2207]

Bravo what an amazing impact on a forgotten or hidden societies. If we all took time to reflect on life and finding meaning maybe we can make better choices.

[@profoundminds_9021]

It would be hard to change people's way of thinking.

[@elmardso9182]

very inspiring experience. Thanks to JR and TED for sharing this.

[@garryhsieh5933]

Respect JR from the bottom of my heart

[@roamandroot148]

Wow, this was fucking AWESOME!!! I'm crying and clapping and just so happy to know this person exists and is doing such wonderful work and sharing it with us. Thank you JR (and P.S. you are totally an activist!) I watched this because I want to better understand the role of art and artists as we face the collapse of modernity. I think JR has perfectly shown us what is meant by the quote from Toni Cade Bambara, "The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible."

[@candihaas3713]

😍❤️❤️❤️

[@wheresmypen4644]

Awesome explanation people do underestimate the power of art by joking about it but this guy really did made an impact on everyone. Kudos 👏💓

[@nikkihall3225]

this was emotional...respect!!!

[@LuisGGomezPhoto]

Awesome work, a piece of history. JR, congratulations. Hello from the mountains of Colombia.

[@iamdihan]

i was so moved by this! Was just a random click on a TED talk and it was such an unexpected story

[@1gnore_me.]

this man is the kind of artist that history will remember for hundreds of years

[@agungstefanuskembau4944]

Heartwarming

[@mechetech2311]

Worth the time spent♥️

[@ghanditw]

WELL DONE LOVED THIS STORY

[@kamtanzzz]

Just amazing.

[@isogai6702]

this one became, my fav ted vid tbh

[@lcourni]

Always moving me ! bravo JR

[@neutronz9764]

What an amazing human being he is!

[@timothykangethe7700]

To some, Art is a moving dot for others its connecting the human dots. Jr's body of Work is Exceptionally Commendable.🙌 Classic Art is confined in Museums, while the Best Art is confined in the Hearts of those that Need it the most... in places other than Museums. Outstanding truimph of the human spirit...🎇

[@cheapsoot1981]

There is authority, and there is artistry. People appreciate artistry.

[@somalimukherjee7449]

such a beautiful thing!

[@anquin3857]

Wonderful talk!

[@jonathanmarkte]

Wonderful JR!

[@profoundminds_9021]

Life is so precious, no matter what wrong someone has done when you get down to their core they're just another being trying to find their way.

[@ermandeimergutierrezsegura7477]

This is very well conference.

[@crystalclear7329]

Wow! Thank you for helping to change the world JR! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@madararam2853]

After being the architects of building prisons, distracting prison guard duty, sensitizing injustly condemned in mate pacifism, it is no surprise that their new art is around Prison wall modern grafitti to Crime Charming.. I also do art in appreciating reality from illusion of emotions. Thank you!

[@kristianvecchio866]

Very inspiring

[@quangson1509]

I like this story and thank you Jr

[@ChrisB-xl4tq]

Love through paper and paste ❤️

[@digvijaysinghnegi9237]

JR.. Love you man..

[@godot5643]

I remember him from Faces Places by Agnes Varda!

[@tikacho]

You Are Fantastic JR and Love U So Much ♥️♥️♥️

[@Abissiko]

What an inspiring person

[@vcat417]

Awesome!

[@udeducation7802]

You deserve to call artists..realy great

[@invox9490]

"The Power of Art" - the Talk.

[@FarbotBurunetNia]

Thank you.

[@Puneetdayal]

Great video

[@jussararuppel9114]

Onde encontro a plataforma para ter acesso as histórias dessas pessoas???

[@workgrinit]

Awesome

[@scheenafarmer3979]

Everything looks like the formation of who we are inside call be crazy but I have been studying some pictures and can now identify the neck without the head. The building blocks to everything is inside and outside of us. I say yes to your answer, I see you when Zo's show go off because there is more I could say.

[@totalfreedom45]

Only love can change the world. *_Without love and sense of humor life is meaningless._* 💕☮🌎🌌

[@akshaypremarajan5121]

Wow!

[@muji_kngr]

It would've been really great if it documented as a video

[@beverlyjohnson7254]

What is the app's name that will allow us to hear the audio stories of the men who participated in the project?

[@penellopecote5823]

You made these men HUMAN...thank you

[@bongs1995]

Brilliant 😄

[@mauemmanuel2912]

Art 💟

[@KaziRifatMorshed_is_here]

Wow👏

[@caccac6891]

Can I have the application?

[@SuperEbbandflow]

Best TED since Isha Ditar

[@boubook2419]

What’s the name of the App? Does anyone know ?

[@marsrideroneofficial]

Art is an explosion as said by an artist, a character in Naruto named: Deidara. This is an explosion of hope through art.

[@coolslimm5105]

it already has a million times over. Hip-hop.

[@samman2764]

🖤

[@neendevi2477]

Most people don't care about art so probably not. Art can be anything and is very accessible these days. Making something unique gets more rare over time.

[@profoundminds_9021]

I love to see these people in prison smiling.

[@mariechristine1370]

J ai pleuré en regardant cette vidéo .❤

[@user-gk6rl4yu6i]

영상감사합니다ㆍ솜결

[@mickec5245]

❤

[@weimin.01]

🥺

[@bobbycantona9154]

🐐

[@penellopecote5823]

How do I get the app

[@piligrimwelcome435]

Woow

[@themcgeefamily7514]

💚💙

[@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia]

The largest Art Event in the world, located in Grand Rapids city Michigan USA called Art Prize, and it's free

[@DirtyBottomsPottery]

An artist travels the world splashing images on objects, therefore problems solved. I had no idea saving the world was so easy.

[@MTorresDirectorChoreographer]

seriously dude you obviously did not get the message. Try creating something with a purpose and see what happens.

[@rayfernandez5949]

Yes of course it can and has , it’s called motion picture .

[@fa5549]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@brochal76]

It depends on what that art is.

[@ArturoTabera]

Does (your) art really change the world?

[@RyanCoomer]

at a buffet, i personally sneak corndogs into the buffet so others can enjoy them. I hide 6 corndogs in my jacket pockets. it then, is a joy for me to see other patrons of the establishment eat my corndogs thinking they were part of the buffet.

[@necessaryevil455]

Dude!

[@asii84]

Humanity in a video :

[@hybridroid]

Art can touch an individual's mindset but at the end of the day the world can only change if consistent efforts are executed by everyone and worldwide.

[@hybridroid]

@𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕒🦋 Yes, it touches the soul yet it is not enough to change the world otherwise Ghibli movies would've done it already.

[@lakshmanankomathmanalath]

💙💙💙❤️👍🏾

[@Pumeanmother]

I always listen very night Do you like listen ?

[@deaddownduck3998]

I listen ever chance I can sir 🥰

[@Pumeanmother]

@@deaddownduck3998 very nice sir😘

[@elburdeldelospandas]

Spoiler: No

[@user-bk6wy6le6e]

2

[@SyedAli-qo7qm]

Ali