A spectacular street art mural featuring Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, has been unveiled on the walls of the French Marine Research Institute (Ifremer) in La Seyne-sur-Mer, creating a vibrant bridge between science and art. The massive artwork, created by renowned graffiti artist Akhine, displays an explosion of colors and symbols that reflect the local maritime heritage and can be seen from the nearby Naval Park and by tourists traveling on maritime shuttles.
"We chose Neptune because we are located on the shores of the Mediterranean, but also as a nod to the international oceanographic exploration program of the same name," explained Vincent Rigaud, director of the Ifremer Mediterranean and Atlantic Center. The selection aligns with the institute's goal of creating connections between art, society, and science. "The idea with this mural is to make maritime and scientific activities, which are often little known to the general public, visible through a powerful cultural medium," Rigaud added.
While the Ifremer site itself is not accessible to the general public, this majestic mural with its vivid colors serves as an artistic window into the scientific world. The artwork is strategically positioned to be visible from the park directly across from the facility and by tourists, residents of La Seyne, and people from Toulon who use the maritime shuttle services. "It's somewhat of an artistic window into a scientific world that is often physically inaccessible to the public. It's also an additional element to make the work environment more pleasant for employees on the site," Rigaud noted.
The project drew inspiration from the Minifest, a street art festival that allows artists to create murals on city walls throughout La Seyne. Akhine, the accomplished graffiti artist behind the work, was initially contacted through this festival. While he wasn't immediately drawn to other walls in La Seyne, the Ifremer wall captured his imagination completely. "The setting, facing the sea, with a view of the entire harbor, immediately captivated me. I was inspired," the artist revealed.
To conceptualize his artwork, Akhine visited the site extensively before beginning his work. "I always come to see the place before painting. I talk with people, I listen. I'm an outsider, so I must respect what happens here. Around Neptune, I included nods to the environment," he explained. The mural features local landmarks including Les Deux Frères (The Two Brothers), two famous rocks at the tip of Cap Sicié that are visible from Sablettes Beach. The dolphin, which serves as Ifremer's emblem, also prominently features in the composition.
"While researching, I discovered that dolphins are often depicted alongside Neptune, as companions and protectors. It seemed natural to paint it," Akhine detailed. The artist, who hails from the Paris region, spent five complete days creating the masterpiece using exclusively aerosol paint. The result has exceeded expectations, delighting the research institute's management, employees, and observers who can appreciate this artwork as a reflection of the dialogue between science and original creation through an artist's perspective.
The mural represents more than just decorative art; it embodies a successful collaboration between scientific research and creative expression. By making the often-hidden world of marine research visible to the public through street art, the project demonstrates how cultural initiatives can serve as bridges between specialized scientific communities and the broader public, fostering greater appreciation for both maritime research and contemporary art forms.
