Monday 17 May 2010

Favela Painting



After an assignment filming a hip-hop documentary in the favelas of Rio de JaneiroJeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn (better known as Haas & Hahn) decided to add their own flair to the neighborhood and help the community at the same time.
That's when their rainbow hued Favela Painting project started, turning the once drab shanty town into something that is like Dorothy's Technicolor Oz fantasy world. And they employ the youth who live in the homes to do the painting, which brings extra jobs to the area.
There is rarely anything sexy about charity work, but Haas & Haan have succeeded in "bringing art to unexpected places" and creating some hope in an otherwise drab atmosphere. And you thought no good could ever possibly come out of an MTV hip-hop documentary.

My Soul in a Small Black Box