"It's Overflowing"… and that's a good thing!

After a two-year hiatus in Toulouse, Mister Freeze returns to the banks of the Garonne, taking over the Caserne Jacques Vion for an extraordinary event. Organized by Reso and its team of volunteers, this collaborative project embraces “the spirit of a small village,” where fun, new connections, and the unexpected serve as the driving forces behind creativity.

After an industrial refrigerator, a former paint factory, a listed museum, and even a disused paper mill, Mister Freeze continues its long history of choosing unconventional venues. For its grand return to Toulouse, the festival is taking over the Caserne Jacques Vion, a Brutalist complex listed as an architectural heritage site whose imposing spaces are one of the defining features of the 2026 edition. The building’s architecture immediately stands out as one of the project’s defining elements. “Two and a half years ago, we had already taken over the Port-Saint Sauveur fire station. This time, we’re setting up shop in the 4,000 m² of the Caserne Jacques Vion, located right in the city center. It’s a historic building, which meant we had to work within the constraints of its architecture.” A challenge the team chose to embrace. “What we love about graffiti are the challenges, especially when it comes to transforming unusual places into temporary art spaces.” For several weeks, the team has been reimagining the site without ever trying to hide its identity. A large portion of the installations is made from recycled materials. “90% of what’s here is recycled.” This approach stems as much from necessity as from the project’s philosophy.

A Village Rather Than an Exhibition
: “Ça Déborde” was therefore conceived as a living space. “We wanted to recreate the spirit of a small village.” This unique layout is one of the distinctive features of this edition. The exhibition unfolds in two parts. Inside, the spaces have been arranged in a manner similar to that of a gallery, while still leaving plenty of room for installations. Outside, the courtyard becomes the beating heart of the project. “We created a village square with shops all around it. Each space has been entrusted to an artist or collective so that visitors can see them at work and interact with them.” The former fire station bar, storage areas, and utility rooms have thus been renovated and repurposed. “We brought them up to code. Each artist was then free to set up their studio in their own way.” The idea? To break down the barrier between creative space and exhibition space. The public watches the works take shape, talks with the artists, and gets a behind-the-scenes look at a creative process often reduced to its final result. This daily life brings the Creative Village to life in a wonderful way.

A Collective
Endeavor For “Ça Déborde,” Reso emphasizes, above all, a collective approach. “I’m the one who initiated the project, but I remain open to the suggestions and ideas of those around me. It’s a collective effort.” This philosophy is reflected in a program that has taken shape gradually, as discussions unfolded and opportunities arose. “Initially, we had planned for 40 artists. In the end, nearly 70 artists are working on-site. The project has grown over the course of the days.” Numerous disciplines interact freely here. True to this spirit of openness, Reso also sought to draw on other areas of expertise. “In particular, I invited the Liminal Gallery—run by L’Atlas, a good friend of mine—to join the adventure. Together, we selected five artists whose practices explore gestural abstraction and black-and-white calligraphy. It’s important to make room for specialists as well.” Beyond the program, this collective dynamic permeates the entire festival. Volunteers, artists, partners, and technicians all contribute to the site’s transformation. “We approached this adventure with great enthusiasm because we really wanted to bring this place to life.”

The disciplines transcend conventional boundaries
. The title of this edition is not just a catchphrase. Here, everything truly seems to transcend boundaries. Graffiti, painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and digital art… all coexist. One gallery hosts temporary exhibitions that change every few weeks, while new and unexpected offerings regularly enrich the experience. “As soon as we meet someone passionate about their craft, we seek to showcase their expertise.” This approach explains, in particular, the inclusion of numerous disciplines, such as the pop-up plant-based tattoo workshop or the special saxophone evenings. “We discovered that a guest photographer played the saxophone. Since several of us also play this instrument, we came up with the idea of musical evenings. This ever-evolving program is undoubtedly what sets us apart the most.”

A Place to Stay
This openness to new connections and collaborations sometimes leads to unexpected partnerships. For example, a military Puma helicopter—on loan from the 9th Airborne Support Regiment in Montauban—takes pride of place in the center of the village. “The presence of the Puma in the center of the village is part of a longer history. For several years now, Mister Freeze has been carrying out some of its activities in Montauban. That’s where I was able to forge ties with the 9th Airborne Support Regiment.” Together with several artists, including Jace and Katre, he created murals inside the barracks and painted four helicopters. For “Ça Déborde,” the 9th RSAM made a Puma available to the festival. “The military delivered it to us and assembled it on site. The funny thing is that everyone thinks it was already there.”
A few meters away, a monumental tower is also bursting with color—a rather spectacular installation. “We painted it by letting the paint flow down from each floor. This mural fits our theme: no single artist is highlighted,” explains Reso. Because more than just a festival, “Ça Déborde” offers a unique experience. “Visitors arrive in the late morning, have lunch on-site, and then spend the afternoon strolling through the village. Others join us later for the evening events. Once you’re here, you won’t want to leave!” For a festival that champions, above all, connection, sharing, and the joy of being together, it’s hard to imagine a better definition. This human dimension remains essential to Reso, who wants to thank the team: “Vincent, David, Julia, Lionel, Laetitia, Émilie. Alexandra, Zigzag, Kelly, Nono, as well as all the artists. This adventure is truly a family affair!” There’s no doubt that the festival continues to champion a generous vision of culture, rooted in sharing and community. “Come have some fun—bring your good spirits!” says Reso. In an era when cultural formats often tend to become specialized or segmented, Mister Freeze, on the contrary, chooses openness. And for a few weeks, in the heart of Toulouse, thanks to Alber, Arnaud Liard, Onesiker, Franck Noto, Julia Forma, Moulin Crew (Zike / Bungle Ced), Mélanie Bourget, L’Outsider, Ratur, Sckaro, Shoe, Veks, Xare, Zoer, Zepha…, art is truly bursting out from every corner.

Don’t Miss
Mister Freeze – It’s Overflowing
Through July 26, 2026
Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (excluding late-night hours and special events)
Caserne Jacques Vion
17 allée Charles de Fitte 31300 Toulouse

Mister Freeze: expomisterfreeze.fr
Instagram: @expomisterfreeze

© IAMP Photography / Sarah Navarro