About an hour outside Mexico City lies the small town of Palmitas in the Pachuca district, an area that, a few months ago, began a massive street art project to unite the community. Beginning as an idea from local government leaders, the project was executed by self-taught street artists Germen Crew.
Using the existing architecture set on the town’s predominant hill, Germen Crew created a multi-perspective piece of art that takes one of Mexico’s most recognized art forms—the mural—and adds a new sense of perspective and community to the historic tradition.
In a manner different from murals made for institutional spaces, this project included a greater focus on elements of unity in an attempt to create a non-traditional mural project that would act as a community development strategy, encouraging local involvement in the design process, and hosting community events while the mural was being painted.
The mural itself spans over 209 houses and 20,000 square meters, affecting about 450 families and 1,800 people. Over the past few months, the project has had a huge impact on residents, and has even been credited with eradicating violence among youth in the community.
Over the years to come, residents will be able to continue working together to provide their own maintenance to ensure the mural’s longevity.
Learn more about the project, and others like it on the Germen Crew Facebook page.
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