R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art is an independent street art platform and online art gallery. We realize huge size exhibitions, art events, workshops and debates about the importance of art in daily life and the role of art in public space.
Every edition of R.U.A. we invite graffiti and street artists to contribute with their art to the R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art platform. Depending of the event, they paint huge murals, give lectures, teach in workshops or participate in exhibitions. Until so far, we have been working with Brazilians, but we are looking forward to go global.
R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art offers high quality contemporary art in public space, freely accessible to any one, at any moment of the day.
We believe that art is fundamental in creating a balanced society in which people live in harmony with and respect for each other. By creating ways to make art available in public space we hope to contribute to a more harmonious society. We ask ourselves: who defines what is art and what is not? Art should not only be found in museums or exclusive galleries, but should inspire in daily life.
For those who have a hungry eye, the street is the best place to explore the most free form of contemporary art; street art. And…isn’t the eye of the spectator the best judge to define what is art in the first place? Scrolling walls and objects in public space, you’ll always be surprised with little secrets on unexpected spots…Let the streets be your inspiration!
R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art invites treasures from the streets to participate with their work on huge size murals and contribute in our outdoor exhibitions turning public space into an extraordinary open-air art gallery.
R.U.A. ART
Working with artists means working with art. Whoever paints a surface of approximately 200m2 in our outdoor exhibition, is also invited to participate in an indoor exhibition and place their work in our online archive. This way we offer the audience the possibility to get to know the artists connected to the platform and possess a work of their favorite.
With the sales of these art works, we guarantee the continuity of the platform, next editions of R.U.A. in other cities around the world, and the financial support of an initiative that stimulates social entrepreneurship and skills training in the creative industry for youth of neglected urban areas in a city of our choice.
R.U.A. PRODUCTS
All merchandize and products of R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art, are always produced in one of the social enterprises of our choice. This way we offer local youth the opportunity to get professional experience and international visibility. see our products
R.U.A. HISTORY
Inspired by Brazilian street art and graffiti, and working with graffiti in social projects in Brazil for many years, we found it important to share the inspiration we got with a broader audience in the world.
In Brazil, graffiti and street art are respected forms of artistic expression in public space. Local governments and municipalities are supporting graffiti artists to develop their projects, using different surfaces and structures in urban areas.
Taking Brazil as an example, we hope to refute the negative image of graffiti in Europe and in particular in the Netherlands. With a more open-minded approach towards graffiti and street art in general, many positive contributions can be don to revitalize neglected urban areas and the appropriation of pubic space by its inhabitants.
In 2009 the first edition of R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It was a great success. The Brazilian artists, Ramon Martins, Gais, Onio, Dalata, Horoiwa, Speto, Yusk and Onesto painted nine murals spread throughout the city.See Previous Edition
In 2011, we did a light start of the second edition in Amsterdam with a debate, and workshops in Amsterdam South-East and Ethos and Dalata painted two murals.
Now, in 2012 we can finally say: “We’re on! Amsterdam, prepare yourself!”
R.U.A. AND CARAMUNDO
R.U.A. is an initiative of Caramundo. Caramundo has been realizing cultural exchanges between young talents from Brazil, the Netherlands and around the world since 2004.
By organizing high quality art projects such as R.U.A. – Reflexo on Urban Art, we create an international stage for upcoming talents and young social entrepreneurs who have as their main goal to create better life circumstances for the people of their communities.
Caramundo has been supporting artistic initiatives in communities of Rio de Janeiro with the objective to create opportunities and stimulate autonomy for youth of violent urban areas. www.caramundo.org