Bringing a Favela to Life With Vibrant Colors

Two artists have teamed with a favela in Rio de Janeiro to use bright colors to re-frame the slum as a more vibrant area.

1 minute read

November 20, 2010, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

The artists have worked with community memebrs to pain their shack housing with bright colors.

"[R]esidents in the Santa Marta slum have transformed their community into a living, breathing canvas.

With the help of two Dutch artists and a pioneering paint firm, the main square is now a kaleidoscope of color.

'It gives the community life!' said Edimar Marcelinho Franco, who helped paint the 34 buildings and walked away with a professional painting title.

'People who come to the favela today say, 'Wow, how pretty.' It doesn't have that image of an ugly favela,' he said."

Thanks to Richard Florida

FULL STORY: Rio slum transformed into canvas bursting with color

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in CNN

Community / Economic Development Social / Demographics Urban Development Central and South America Art Public Art Brazil Favelas rio de janeiro Paint Shacks View More

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