Mundano’s Mural in São Paulo Calls Attention to Climate Disasters

Brazilian artist Mundano has created a large street mural in São Paulo using ash from wildfires and mud from floods to highlight the severe climate crisis in Brazil. The mural showcases the impacts of deforestation and drought in the Amazon, featuring Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap, and holding corporations like Cargill accountable for their role in environmental degradation. Mundano’s work emphasizes the connections between climate disasters and calls for urgent action.

In an impactful display of environmental activism, Brazilian artist Mundano unveiled an extensive mural in São Paulo that utilizes ash from wildfires and mud from floods to draw attention to the urgent climate crises facing Brazil. Measuring over 30 meters in height and 48 meters in width, the mural portrays the dire state of deforestation and drought in the Amazon rainforest, complete with its parched landscapes and stark gray stumps. Central to the mural is Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap, who is depicted wearing a crown of flowers and holding a placard that reads, “Stop the destruction keepyourpromise.” This message specifically addresses the Minnesota-based agribusiness giant Cargill, known for its role in soy farming, which significantly impacts deforestation in the Amazon. Despite Cargill’s commitment to eradicate deforestation from its supply chain by 2025, Mundano seeks to hold the corporation accountable for its environmental impact. “We are tired of being a country, a continent where we and the natural resources we have here are exploited,” Mundano expressed in a recent interview. In recent months, the Amazon has suffered from rampant wildfires and severe drought, contributing to an alarming environmental situation exacerbated by climate change. This summer’s drought has led to critically low water levels in key rivers, marking an unprecedented low in recorded history. Mundano’s mural not only highlights the current crisis but ingeniously incorporates materials from previous environmental disasters, including mud from a devastating flood in Rio Grande do Sul that claimed over 180 lives and displaced millions. The artist, self-identifying as an “artivist,” used a combination of mud and ash from various ecological locations, as well as soil collected from dumpsters in São Paulo and clay from Indigenous lands in the Amazon. Through this powerful visual narrative, Mundano reiterates that “From floods to droughts, everything is connected!” He recalls a previous mural from three years prior that also employed Amazonian ash, showcasing the ongoing struggle against deforestation and its implications for the planet.

The mural created by Mundano is situated within a broader context of climate change and environmental degradation in Brazil, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. This region, essential for global ecological balance, has been increasingly threatened by human activity, including deforestation linked to agriculture, predominantly soy farming. The severe weather phenomena experienced in Brazil, such as wildfires and drought, are symptomatic of underlying issues tied to climate change, exacerbated by fossil fuel combustion and unsustainable land use. Mundano’s artistic efforts aim to raise public awareness and compel accountability among corporations contributing to environmental destruction. His previous works showcase the intersection of art and activism, a method gaining traction among contemporary artists focused on social and ecological issues.

Mundano’s mural serves as a poignant reminder of the environmental crises plaguing Brazil, specifically emphasizing the intertwined nature of climate-induced disasters and corporate responsibility. By harnessing materials from both past and present disasters, Mundano not only captures the deterioration of critical ecosystems but also ignites a conversation around regeneration versus exploitation. His work reflects a growing call from various stakeholders for immediate action in addressing climate change and preserving vital natural resources. The artist’s vision underscores the urgent need to protect our planet amid escalating climate challenges, positioning art as a catalyst for social change.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com