Make the World a Better Place
pointed by the arrows. “When colors came out everywhere,
a mood of change started transforming the spirit
of the people. People started to drop less litter
in the streets. They started to pay taxes.
They started to feel something they’d forgotten.
Beauty was giving people a feeling of being
protected. This was not a misplaced feeling—crime did fall.”
Expectation
Dre Urhahn are bringing vibrant art to unexpected
places with their Favela Painting project.
About one-third of Rio de Janeiro’s population lives
in favelas, urban slums overrun with gangs and drugs.
To prevent kids from getting caught up in the drug
trade, the Favela Painting project pays Brazil’s youth
to create murals for their communities.
1.0 The Mayor of Tirana, Edi Rama
After initially designing some of the drawings himself, Mayor Rama invited many foreign artists, as well as local students and children, to participate in the city’s visual face-lift. Their drawings were reproduced on Tirana’s facades.
2.0 Colors in Your Life
My grandfather, who lives in one of the first buildings painted, was afraid of the result because residents weren’t able to choose the colour. In the end, he was quite happy when he saw it painted dark red.
3.0 Expectation
There is nothing special about the paintings themselves, but the effect as you’re walking along the street is surprising. They turned these buildings, originally built without any taste, into something attractive.
4.0 References and Colophon
It's like when children draw on walls: it's very nice, but it's difficult to imagine growing up with the walls remaining like that. On top of that, painting the buildings doesn't mean the living conditions inside them have changed.
Donation
Your support ensures that our campaign continues to help people in slums of the world.
If you have any questions about our campagin, or would prefer to make a donation via other ways,
please call at 808.591.9391 or by E-mail at info@citywithcolor.com