The Torn Posters in the Paris Metro (February 2023 update)

Documenting January's artistic vandalism in the underground

Poor ad or Pop art? (Photo by William Sidnam)

Last month, I wrote about vandalised advertising posters in the Paris metro — and my ongoing efforts to document them.

Since then, I’ve been taking the project more seriously than ever. And boy, has January been a fruitful month.

While walking through subterranean tunnels, I’ve found dozens of posters bearing the scars of tearful vandalism. In some tunnels of major intersecting metro stops, some anonymous artists seemed to have gone on a slashing spree, leaving a trail of ripped ads in their wake.

A man getting a haircut (Photo by William Sidnam)

Star guitar (Photo by William Sidnam)

Pro-cat propaganda (Photo by William Sidnam)