Mundano, a Brazilian artist, unveiled a large mural in São Paulo using materials from climate-related disasters to draw attention to climate change. The mural features Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap and critiques Cargill for its role in deforestation. It highlights the severe environmental crises in Brazil, including unprecedented droughts and wildfires, while advocating for accountability and regeneration of natural resources.
Mundano, a Brazilian artist and activist, recently unveiled a striking mural in São Paulo utilizing materials such as ash and mud sourced from various environmental disasters. This large-scale artwork, measuring over 30 meters in height and 48 meters in width, aims to draw attention to the escalating issue of climate change, particularly highlighting the rampant destruction caused by extreme weather events across Brazil. The mural vividly portrays the aftermath of deforestation and severe drought in the Amazon rainforest, illustrated through gray remnants of trees set against a parched, cracked landscape. In a poignant representation, the mural features Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap adorned with a floral wreath, holding a sign that reads: “Stop the destruction keepyourpromise.” This message specifically addresses Cargill, a prominent soybean producer based in the United States, which is implicated as a major contributor to deforestation in the Amazon region. Cargill has publicly committed to eradicating deforestation from its supply chain in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay by the year 2025. Mundano’s intent is to hold Cargill accountable for its environmental impact, expressing frustration over the exploitation of Brazil’s natural resources. In an interview, he stated, “We are tired of being a country, a continent where we and the natural resources we have here are exploited. … We have to regenerate our planet instead of destroying it.” The mural is a direct response to the ongoing crises in the Amazon, which have seen devastating wildfires and drought conditions. Recent reports from Cemaden, Brazil’s disaster warning center, indicate that drought is expected to persist throughout much of the country. The situation is exacerbated by record-low water levels in the Amazon’s rivers, with the Negro River marking its lowest measurements in over a century. Mundano, known as an “artivist”—a fusion of artist and activist—sourced the mural’s materials from various places, including mud from recent floods and ash from wildfires across multiple Brazilian biomes. Through his artwork, he emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental issues, stating: “From floods to droughts, everything is connected!” This mural stands as his most significant work to date, following a previous mural that also addressed the themes of deforestation and environmental degradation. Mundano’s commitment to using his artistic platform to advocate for change illustrates the growing movement among artists and activists to confront climate challenges head-on, promoting awareness and accountability in the face of corporate and environmental failures.
The article discusses the intersection of art and environmental activism through the work of Brazilian artist Mundano, who seeks to illuminate the urgent crises stemming from climate change. Focusing on Brazil, the narrative explores how man-made forces like deforestation for soy farming are exacerbating the impacts of natural disasters, such as droughts and floods. The article serves to contextualize the importance of advocacy in art, particularly as environmental conditions in the Amazon rainforest deteriorate. It references specific incidents of ecological degradation and corporate accountability, illustrating the broader implications for global climate activism.
Mundano’s mural in São Paulo serves as a powerful visual statement against climate change and corporate negligence, particularly toward Cargill’s role in deforestation. By utilizing materials from environmental disasters, the artist effectively represents the interconnectedness of such events. The mural not only holds corporations accountable but also urges society to prioritize environmental regeneration over exploitation. As Brazil faces critical droughts and floods, the message behind Mundano’s work resonates louder, echoing the urgent need for collective action against climate change and ecological conservation.
Original Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
