On Tuesday, the ICBIE hosted a big event: the launch of a new book, a catalog of the Salvador Grafita Project, which coincided with the third anniversary of this high-profile cultural initiative, where the city of Salvador fosters, rather than represses, street artists. And considering the fact that tomorrow night six of the protagonists of the project will be departing for Paris on a second European tour, the timing couldn’t have been better for a big party.
Sponsored by the Municipal City Government, the beautiful new catalog traces the history of the innovative project, and is richly illustrated with examples of the vibrant native styles that have made Salvador famous as a leading center for street art. With an introduction by the Mayor, the catalog also features a deeply reflective article by Pietro Gallina, in both Portuguese and English (!), and the cover features a beautiful work by Bigode and Julio.
Although a last minute conflict prevented the mayor from attending, the city superintendent Edvando Luiz Castro Pinto (Tucunaré), who is responsible for Salvador grafita, was present, along with all the project’s artists, the photographer Paranaguá and numerous friends and journalists: a total of a hundred and twenty people. Music was provided by No de marinheiro and Lucas Carvalho, the protagonists all gave speeches, and the event ended with the usual refreshments and socializing.
For more photos of the event, follow this link to the ICBIE Photo Gallery.
