Brazilian artist Mundano created a large mural in São Paulo using ash and mud from natural disasters to highlight climate change. The mural depicts the impact of deforestation and drought in the Amazon and features Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap. It calls on Cargill, a soybean producer, to be accountable for its role in deforestation. Mundano’s artwork emphasizes the interconnected issues of floods and droughts in Brazil’s environment.
Mundano, a Brazilian artist and activist, has recently unveiled a striking mural in São Paulo that serves as a commentary on the pressing issue of climate change through the utilization of unconventional materials. The mural, measuring over 30 meters high and 48 meters wide, is composed of ash from wildfires and mud from floods, which were symptomatic of the extreme weather events ravaging Brazil and much of the Amazon rainforest. The artwork depicts the remnants of trees against a cracked, dry landscape, vividly showcasing the consequences of deforestation and drought. A significant feature of the mural is the representation of Alessandra Korap, an Indigenous activist, adorned with a floral crown, holding a placard that reads, “Stop the destruction keepyourpromise.” This message explicitly targets Cargill, a leading soybean producer based in the United States, calling upon the company to address its role in deforestation, which is primarily driven by the expansion of soy farming. While Cargill has announced its commitment to eliminate deforestation from its supply chain in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay by 2025, the mural serves to hold the corporation accountable for its impact on the environment. Mundano expressed frustration regarding the exploitation of Brazil’s natural resources, stating, “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 situation in Brazil is further complicated by recent droughts and wildfires that have devastated protected areas, affecting air quality and jeopardizing local communities. In response to the alarming environmental changes, Mundano has utilized materials sourced from various impacted areas, such as mud from flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, where over 180 lives were lost earlier this year. Additionally, he incorporated ashes from fires in the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, and Cerrado regions, as well as clay gathered from the Sawre Muybu Indigenous land, underscoring the interconnectedness of the climate crisis—from floods to droughts. This mural not only reflects Mundano’s artistic vision but also reinforces his identity as an “artivist,” blending art and activism to promote environmental awareness.
This article discusses the urgent issue of climate change and its devastating effects on Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, particularly through the lens of Mundano’s mural, which utilizes materials such as ash and mud from natural disasters. The mural serves to criticize corporate practices—specifically, Cargill’s involvement in deforestation for soybean production—while also capturing the plight of Indigenous activists advocating for environmental preservation. The piece offers a vivid representation of recent ecological catastrophes, such as wildfires and floods, highlighting the interconnectedness of these events and their ongoing repercussions on the region’s ecosystems and communities.
Mundano’s mural in São Paulo stands as a powerful testament to the critical state of Brazil’s environment, effectively merging artistic expression with activism to raise awareness about climate change and corporate responsibility. Through the use of materials derived from natural disasters, the mural encapsulates the ongoing struggle against deforestation and the call for accountability among major corporations like Cargill. The artist’s commitment to conveying these vital messages reinforces the need for collective action to regenerate and protect the planet.
Original Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
