By Scarlet Bringuenti, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Cidade Maravilhosa, one of the world’s graffiti capitals, is adding three new art murals to its urban horizon. The murals are part of Rio Esporte Arte (Rio Sport Art) and will be done on the facades of the hospitals of the National Cancer Institute (INCA).
The organization’s first project was between July and August of 2016, when the city of Rio de Janeiro was focused on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rio Sport Art painted five buildings, forming a cultural corridor linking Lapa, Centro, The Port Region and Tijuca.
This year, there will be nearly a thousand square meters of art inserted into the daily lives of thousands of citizens, in the city centre. The murals are sponsored by various bodies, including Rio de Janeiro City Council, the Municipal Department of Culture, and Ancar Ivanhoe.
Gabriel Durán, producer and founder of Rio Sport Art explains, “We chose sports that symbolize quality of life and movement, whether on a cycle path or in the sea and lagoons of the city.” By doing so this will revitalize public spaces and promote Carioca art.
Approximately 500 spray cans and more than 200 litres of paint are estimated to be used throughout the project. Lídia Viber will do the first painting, 232 square meters, at Cancer Hospital II (Rua Ecuador, 831 – Santo Cristo).
After this, Nicolau Mello will paint the 378-square meter facade at Cancer Hospital I, which is located on Praça da Cruz Vermelha, 23, Lapa. And lastly, Mateu Velasco will paint another facade of Cancer Hospital II.
Marise Mentzingen, communication analyst at INCA explains, “The murals, especially in hospitals, in addition to brightening the environment, can be very motivating.”
Continuing, “They can provoke reflection and even an improvement in the mood and well-being of the people who walk by them, whether they are patients or not. That’s why we made this partnership between Rio Sport Art and INCA.”
Gabriel Durán adds, “In just two years, we will have left a total of eight murals for residents and visitors. And we want to do more.”