Art on the Streets of Brazil: City of God (Cidade de Deus) Mural Project

The City of God-- Cidade de Deus-- a poor community on Rio de Janeiro's west side that was made famous around the world for crime, extreme violence and poverty by the 2002 hit film by the same name. Having spent a great deal of time living and working in this community over the last 3 years, I have experienced much more of the positive side than the negative: the warmth of the people, the vibrant culture and the dedication of local institutions in the face of decades of neglect by the State. I partnered with a local Anglican church and four community organizations (ASVI, CEACC, Casa da Santa Ana and Alfazendo) in order to create four murals that combine familiar biblical stories with imagery of local people, history and social issues. The project began in 2010 and continued with a second phase in 2011, and included weeks of workshops in which local children, teens, adults and elders came together to learn and share their experiences with each other. The workshops focused on public art, local history and the relevant biblical texts, all of which went into the designs for the murals. Special thanks to Father Nicholas and all the participants of the project, it's been a great experience working with you all!!

This vision of the community, inspired by the biblical vision, portrays a future where the river is no longer polluted, and people are able to live happy, healthy lives.

This tryptic features a combination of the City of God community and imagery from the biblical City of God, known as the New Jerusalem, a utopian vision of the future in both the New and Old Testaments. The concept of this mural is to use the name of the neighborhood as inspiration for a future free from the social problems and inequalities of today.

Detail, portraying the suffering and pain that is to be left behind.


detail

detail: the background incorporates the abstract expressions of the participants as well as stencil art reflecting ancient cultures from around the world, from the Egyptians to the Aztecs to the Greeks.

The mural was preceded by two weeks of workshops with local youth, adults and the elderly. Together, we learned about art, community history, and how the biblical City of God can inspire our modern-day social issues.

Two of the most enthusiastic artists: Karen and Carlos

Time line: The Story of the City of God

To see the whole 10- piece time line, click here

In 1964, the government hired architect to design a new community for workers who would build the new Barra da Tijuca beach neighborhood, as well as people from various favelas (shanty towns) around Rio de Janiero.

Though the government had created the neighborhood, they quickly abandoned it. With the absence of the State, the neighborhood had a great deal of poverty, violence, and lack of services. Beginning in the '80's, drug dealers effectively controlled the community, and shootouts with police and rival factions were common.