Giant mural to be part of Rio 2016 cultural legacy

In addition to infrastructure and urban mobility projects, new public leisure areas and urban art in revamped areas of the city will be part of the Rio 2016 legacy for local residents and visitors. One of them, “Etnias” (“Ethnicities”), the world's biggest graffiti mural painting by a single artist, in Rio's port area.

The 3,000 square meter mural was painted by Eduardo Kobra, an internationally renowned Brazilian street artist, who, inspired by the five Olympic rings, painted five colored faces representing the five continents. The mural will be officially delivered when the Olympic Torch arrives in Rio on August 4, but it's already making an impression on passers-by.

“This has been a milestone for me, my personal Olympic record—it's the largest mural I've ever painted. I have traveled many cities around the world and it's such a privilege to do this job here in Rio de Janeiro on such a unique and important occasion,” said the artist, whose works can be found in over 20 countries. He said the painting was meant as a legacy for Rio.

For “Etnias”, which will be completed on August 3, Kobra has used more than 3,000 cans of spray paint, about 1,800 liters of latex paint, and 540 liters of enamel paint. He has even used scaffolds and worked as long as eight hours a day along with his assistants.

The city of Rio has also invited other artists to paint murals in the port area of the city. Kobra thinks the initiative will help give visibility to other artists who, like him, came from the city outskirts.

Translated by Mayra Borges