No seas wey Mascarilla Mural
Hispanics and African Americans are the demographics most affected by coronavirus in the U.S., according to the latest study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In light of the Hispanic population’s vulnerability, the artists Matt Reyes, Rafael Serrano, Adrienne Pulido, Ana Suarez, Alejandro Ramirez, Jenaro Diaz and Jesus Yañez launched the art project No Seas Wey (Don’t Be an Idiot) in the city of Austin, Texas, to provide the Hispanic community with information in Spanish about the pandemic and at the same time establish the habit of wearing masks – unlike the idiots who insist on going around without them. “We discussed the best way to use our advertising talent to deliver a message of social responsibility,” said Alejandro Ramirez. “The mural painting campaign urges people to use masks and gives them access by scanning a QR code to a website where users can find information about the virus.” The pro bono campaign comprises two elements, the first being a mural of the QR code and the second, the information hub with the URL http://www.noseaswey.com “The creative idea of this campaign is to transform murals into educational centers and use the city of Austin as our canvas. If phase 1 presents messages of responsibility on the walls, phase 2 focuses on creating a physical monument that honors all those who have stood up to the virus. We see No Seas Wey as a creative platform that allows us to address multiple issues of social responsibility – in this case, the pandemic,” Ramirez said. The mural painters were Eduardo “Bayo” Flores, Luis “Uloang” Angulo, Carmen Rangel and Drib. “The muralists had the freedom to paint what they wanted; the only condition was to include the campaign slogan, the QR code and promote the use of masks,” Ramirez added. Their works are to be seen at the following locations: mural 1 is at 2701 East Martin Luther King, Austin, TX 78702; mural 2 with its Chavo del 8 motif created by Uloang is in Marcelino’s restaurant at 901 Tillery Street, Austin, TX 78702; while mural 3 by the artist known as Drib is in Curra’s Grill at 614 East Oltorf Street, Austin, TX 78704.
