An artist who says he is trying to 'lighten the mood' in the French Alps by posting murals in public spaces in ski resorts has launched a crowdfunding effort to raise £1500 he says is needed to secure a permanent location for the next piece of art – two initial pieces that were posted up in Meribel at the end of last season were quickly removed by local officials.
The artwork, based on Bansky's famous 'Kiss' which depicts two policemen in a passionate embrace, instead has two ESF ski instructors locked together.
But the artist, who calls himself Caesar, has said that the intention is not to cause offence.
"Whether or not offence is taken is completely subjective, but the purpose of the piece is not to cause offence; quite the opposite," said a spokesperson for the artist, "Caesar hopes that ESF instructors may actually embrace and see the fun in the image, much like many police officers were seen to do with Banksy's original "Kissing Coppers" piece."
Caesar initially did two versions of the picture, one under the Altiport which was removed the day after it was put up, though it was there long enough for a few people to see it, and the second under the Saulire lift which also lasted just one day. There is also a promotional video on the crowdfunding page.
Caesar's spokesperson says there are several potential locations being considered for the new piece at the moment.
The spokesperson added that the artists believed that the image of an ESF instructor is an iconic one, synonymous with French resorts and said that Caesar had wanted to do an ESF inspired piece for a while.
The Simon Butler case, along with other instances of what the artist considers unfair treatment of foreign workers in French resorts, was basically the tipping point that led to the "Kissing instructors" idea becoming a reality.
"These events gave the piece a purpose, to lighten the mood during a very tense time in the mountains," said Caesar's spokesperson, adding, "The piece is not intended to cause offence. It is intended to make people smile. Caesar has absolutely nothing against the ESF whatsoever, but more against this perception that everyone seems to have that they own the mountain. The idea of the piece is to make people think of these instructors more than just these bright red guardians of the mountain."
The crowdfunding effort runs until November 20th:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/seasonaires-brighten-up-the-alps-this-winter