The Union of banana producers of Guadeloupe and Martinique (UGPBAN) has called on French artist LOUYZ to promote to the general public the rich biodiversity of the banana plantations of Guadeloupe and Martinique through a mural in the heart of Paris. More than 100m² in size, the mural was created from June 12th to 16th at 197, rue du Temple, in the 3rd district of Paris, and will be visible until the 28th of June.
Audrey Ktourza, marketing manager at UGPBAN, explains this choice. “We wanted to surprise passers-by and get closer to them. It is an original way of communicating about biodiversity, a subject we feel very strongly about because it reflects the agroecological practices of our producers. It is also what sets us apart from other countries.”
The mural features hummingbirds, lizards, butterflies and hylodes, the famous frog endemic to the West Indies.
And to help passers-by grasp the message, a billboard with bananas and the slogan “freedom, equality and biodiversity” appears next to the mural. “The mural’s graphic charter speaks to everyone, young and old alike, thanks to the artist's personal touch: oversized animals,” explains Audrey Ktourza. The artist was not chosen by chance. “Her favorite theme is nature, lizards, hummingbirds and foliage, which is what motivated us to work with her.”
LOUYZ, a “well-known and recognized artist in the street art world,” who collaborated with her own mother and grandfather for this mural.
Games and prizes to accompany the murals
The banana of Guadeloupe and Martinique is also offering prizes to consumers. The first, aimed at people living in the Paris region, is a chance to win parcels of bananas of Guadeloupe and Martinique (100 bananas per plot), to be picked up at partner fruit and vegetable shops. To play, people can simply scan the QR code on the poster. The second game takes place on Instagram, with the chance to win a trip to the West Indies for two. "The mural is divided into 6 pieces so you can discover it as you go along: one photo each day, accompanied by a quiz.”
For more information:
Banane de Guadeloupe et Martinique
bananeguadeloupemartinique.com