MAKING AN URBAN SYMBOLIC MONUMENT
with an educational action

COPACABANA

Metro at Praça Siqueira Campos

concept Françoise Schein with carioca architect Laura Taves. Collaboration with and Talya Kahn

Production with the participation of the local population

This project exposes the Human Rights in a grand way in the heart of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Located at famous Copacabana beach in the subway station entrance Siquiera Campos, the artwork presents a huge map of the neighborhood with images of underprivileged people. All along the panel these hand painted images are created by people themselves and chosen from slavery’s history. At the street level one can read the entire text of the Human Rights written by hand. The project is located just a block away from the Copacabana Palace, the most prestigious hotel of the city.  Another block away there a several favelas with thousand of poor inhabitants.

On the panel, 3 figures have been chosen to represent the concept of the project: “The human Rights Way”: a 4 meters high black man who represents brazilian manpower force, an old black lady who has known slavery in her life - she is Françoise Schein’s adopted daugher’s grandmother, and a young girl who represents the country’s hope in a better future. 

A large section of the mural is covered by a poem of Arnaldo Antunes a Sao Paulo live poet.

Built in 2003 just before Lula’s election this panel has been since accepted by the population and has become part of Rio’s patrimony.