Le Bloc, an acronym of “bâtiment libre, occupé citoyennement” (free building, occupied by citizens), was a Parisian squat occupied primarily by artists and immigrants until they were evicted by police in December 2013. It is also the subject of American journalist Feldman’s first book, a poetic study of squats, squatters, and broader themes of community and housing rights in Paris that often reads like something of a love letter. Feldman lived in Paris for years as she reported on Le Bloc, often staying as a guest amid its eight floors of artists and their creations. Even after squatters were evicted, Feldman remained connected to many of the people she’d met there and continued to interact with other squats around the city. Although Feldman’s personal observations can have a rosy tint, her deep knowledge of the subject keeps the narrative grounded. In addition to her reporting, Feldman shares a fascinating history of squats in Paris, noting, “Authorities handled a squat differently if it contained artists, referring the dossier to the ministry of culture, which evaluated, in its own words, the ‘artistic value of the project.’” The inclusion of interviews can feel chaotic at times, but the authenticity with which she renders her subjects on the page creates memorable characters and brings Le Bloc to life as a character in its own right.
English (US) ·