A Powerful Representation Of What Art Can Do – Trash Cart Art

Thiago Mundano, an artist, sells trash carts while Xzibit is driving trashy cars. Brazil produces more that 200,000 tonnes of garbage per day. Around one million trash collectors are responsible for 90% of the country’s recycling efforts. In a recent Ted Talk, Mundano, explains on stage, their contributions are vital to Brazil’s economy.

“Our world is home to many super-heroes. They have the worst superpower of all superpowers, invisibility…. Catadores were born out of social inequality, unemployment, and an abundance of solid waste due to Brazil’s lack of waste collection systems.

Mundano started to transform their carts called ‘carrocas’ in 2007. This was done by decorating them using graffiti characters with clever slogans and captions. Many of these have political or environmental undertones. Another jokes that “if corrupt politicians were recyclable, they’d be worth less than paper.” The movement was quickly adopted.

“I pick up your trash, clean your city. Yet, I am called a beggar.”

“US collectors of recyclable material do more for the environment then any minister”

Mundano said during a 2014 TED Talk, “I plunged into the universe and haven’t stopped working since.” Mundano said, “I have painted more than 200 carrocas in many places and have been invited on exhibitions and travels around the world. Then I realised that catadores are not only found in Brazil, despite their invisibility. They were present in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, South Africa and Turkey, as well as in developed countries like the United States and Japan.

Mundano stated that society responds differently to catadores who add artistic and insightful messages. Mundano said that “when the carrocas have new and colourful, funny messages, people start to interact and no longer judge the people to be beggars and nuisances within the city.” They are invisible one day and people the next day are amazed at their presence. “

“My car doesn’t pollute!”

In 2012, after his initial success, Mundano started a movement called Pimp My Carroca. This program matches local catadores and artists to paint their carts. Pimp My Carroca also provides free services such as eye exams, psychological counselling, and massages to catadores. There are even veterinarians available on-site to check their dogs. Catadores can also get safety gear such as raincoats, glasses, and mirrors at these bi-annual stations.

Mundano speaks out in a world saturated with convenience and instant gratification. He also reminds us of an important paradox that is often overlooked: sometimes, it’s the people we don’t recognise who are responsible for what we take for granted.

This is a powerful way art can convey a powerful message that can send a message to the world.