This month Rio de Janeiro receives 'Rua Walls', an open and accessible public art urban project, with the participation of 18 artists. They will transform 1.5 km of the walls of the warehouses of the Port of Rio de Janeiro, on Avenida Rodrigues Alves, into works of art, integrating the port with the cultural and professional life of the city. Each guest has been producing a mural since August 22nd and the exhibition is scheduled to start on September 27th.
The Port of Rio de Janeiro, which turned 110 in July, embraced the project as a major Social Responsibility action, since it was presented a year ago. Companhia Docas do Rio de Janeiro (CDRJ), the Port Authority that manages the Port of Rio de Janeiro, authorized the artistic intervention and the investment was funded, by means of the Municipal Culture Incentive Law - ISS Law, by the companies leasing the port terminals - ICTSI Rio, Multiterminais, Rio de Janeiro Wheat Terminal (TTRJ) and Triunfo Logística.
"The Port Zone became very attractive with the urban revitalization carried out in recent years and now the Companhia Docas do Rio de Janeiro has the opportunity to also collaborate in this work with the implementation of the 'Rua Walls' project on the walls of our Porto do Rio, in partnership with the companies leasing the terminals ", said the CDRJ's CEO, Francisco Antonio de Magalhães Laranjeira.
For President Laranjeira, the paintings that will contemplate the external walls, between warehouses 10 and 18, will strengthen the relationship between port and city: "Avenida Rodrigues Alves will be transformed into a true open-air museum, attracting citizens from Rio and tourists to Porto do Rio, which will certainly further promote the region, already consolidated as a historical and cultural reference".
"We are betting on culture to transform the surroundings of Porto do Rio, but also to transform lives. Thus, in addition to making Avenida Rodrigues Alves an attractive and revitalized environment, we are training young local residents for professional activities that they can execute in the future. The walls revitalized by the 'Rua Walls' project will bring a new life to the port region", explains Bruno de Sá, general director of Triunfo Logística and president of the Union of Port Operators of Rio de Janeiro (SINDOPERJ).
According to the CEO of Multiterminais, Luiz Henrique Carneiro, economic growth must be aligned with the preservation of natural resources and social aspects: "delivering this legacy to the city and contributing even more to the human development of the region. Port of Rio de Janeiro is what we want."
"At ICTSI Rio, we believe in growing in tune with the community. Participating in this project is the efficient application of our purpose and values to encourage social development. In the year that celebrates 110 years, the Port of Rio de Janeiro presents society with new airs through culture", expressed Roberto Lopes, CEO of ICTSI Rio.
"The project as a whole, which goes beyond artistic intervention, as it involves community participation, is aligned with the vision and values that Bunge and M. Dias Branco, shareholders of the Rio de Janeiro Wheat Terminal Janeiro (TTRJ), have to use culture as a tool for social integration", explains Níveo Maluf, director of the Terminal.
Learn more about the project
The tactical urbanism project was created by the production company Visionartz, which for over 10 years has been promoting urban revitalization actions, always associated with social development through art. More than an artistic exhibition, the initiative serves to move the local economy, impacted by the coronavirus crisis. According to André Bretas, one of the creators of the event, "'Rua Walls' brings a new color to the Port Zone in such a gray moment."
The public will have the opportunity to consume and admire demonstrations by talented visual artists of the current scene, such as: Agrade Camís, Amorinha, Bruno Lyfe, Célio, Chica Capeto, Diego Zelota, Doloroes Esos, Flora, Yumi, Igor SRC, Leandro Assis, Luna Bastos, Mariê Balbinot, Marlon Muk, Miguel Afa, Paula Cruz, Thiago Haule, Vinicius Mesquita and Ziza.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, care was increased. The production team has been reduced and all recommendations from the Ministry of Health are being followed. The paintings are being done during the night, during which the avenue remains closed to traffic.
Social Responsibility
At 'Rua Walls', art goes beyond aesthetics. It is a tool for social inclusion, with 90% of the project team formed by residents of communities close to Morro do Pinto and Providência, who were trained in several work fronts. Artistic painting will also be carried out on the walls of the Municipal School General Miter, in Morro do Pinto. The action is part of the project 'Returning to School', led by Ricardo Célio, one of the artists chosen.
In addition, the implementation of the youth library, an action designed by the residents of the Providência community, was expanded by 'Rua Walls', as well as the creation of the first organic garden in Morro do Pinto, which will be managed by the residents themselves, being a sustainable project throughout its chain. The program also has an 'aulão' open to young people in the region on community journalism and social networks.
By ASSCOM CDRJ