Street art legend Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada was recently invited to Amsterdam to create a huge land portrait spanning almost two football fields.
The gaze of an anonymous Mesoamerican human rights activist was etched into the ground to launch a campaign that aims to raise awareness of the plight of women who are illegally targeted and terrorised for defending human rights in that region.
Rodríguez-Gerada's land portrait
It was commissioned by feminist foundation Mama Cash and created in one week with the help of 80 volunteers.
"I chose to use fertile soil to create this piece as a metaphor for what can come forth from the vision of these women if it is respected and allowed to bring about change," he told us.
Rodríguez-Gerada – who was founder of the culture jamming movement in America – has made this kind of art before, creating a portrait of Barack Obama out of 650 metric tons of sand and gravel in 2008.
Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
EXPECTATION(01 of47)
2008 - Barcelona, SpainEXPECTATION was a giant mandala in the likeness of Barack Obama made with 650 metric tons of sand and gravel created on a Barcelona beachfront administered by the Forum de las Culturas. It was created as a way to pray for change but also alludes to how all the outpouring hope could fade away like sand. Created before the U.S. presidential elections, this piece pointed to how the outcome of the election would affect the whole world. IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
EXPECTATION(02 of47)
2008 - Barcelona, SpainEXPECTATION was a giant mandala in the likeness of Barack Obama made with 650 metric tons of sand and gravel created on a Barcelona beachfront administered by the Forum de las Culturas. It was created as a way to pray for change but also alludes to how all the outpouring hope could fade away like sand. Created before the U.S. presidential elections, this piece pointed to how the outcome of the election would affect the whole world. IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
EXPECTATION(03 of47)
2008 - Barcelona, SpainEXPECTATION was a giant mandala in the likeness of Barack Obama made with 650 metric tons of sand and gravel created on a Barcelona beachfront administered by the Forum de las Culturas. It was created as a way to pray for change but also alludes to how all the outpouring hope could fade away like sand. Created before the U.S. presidential elections, this piece pointed to how the outcome of the election would affect the whole world. IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Homage to Enric Miralles(04 of47)
2009 - Barcelona, SpainThe piece was a giant mandala in homage to the Spanish architect Enric Miralles on the tenth anniversary of his untimely passing. Benedetta Tagliabue and EMBT, the studio that they both founded, organized a reunion for friends and family to remember the architect.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Homage to Enric Miralles(05 of47)
2009 - Barcelona, SpainThe piece was a giant mandala in homage to the Spanish architect Enric Miralles on the tenth anniversary of his untimely passing. Benedetta Tagliabue and EMBT, the studio that they both founded, organized a reunion for friends and family to remember the architect.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Homage to Enric Miralles(06 of47)
2009 - Barcelona, SpainThe piece was a giant mandala in homage to the Spanish architect Enric Miralles on the tenth anniversary of his untimely passing. Benedetta Tagliabue and EMBT, the studio that they both founded, organized a reunion for friends and family to remember the architect.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Homage to Enric Miralles(07 of47)
2009 - Barcelona, SpainThe piece was a giant mandala in homage to the Spanish architect Enric Miralles on the tenth anniversary of his untimely passing. Benedetta Tagliabue and EMBT, the studio that they both founded, organized a reunion for friends and family to remember the architect.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Gal·la(08 of47)
2010 - Delta del Ebro, SpainThe GAL·LA project was created as part of the first planetary art exhibit called "eARTh" curated by 350.org. It was created on the beach of the Delta del Ebro in Spain using shade material and wooden posts. Designed as a sun stencil, the piece was made to bring attention to the problem of sunlight/heat that cannot escape back into space because of greenhouse gases. I chose a little girl named Gal·la who lives in the Delta del Ebro and created this icon in her likeness, an icon to symbolize all the reasons for the world to act today. Her portrait was constructed using a labyrinth design to allude to the tenacity of the human spirit to find a solution.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
(09 of47)
2010 - Delta del Ebro, SpainThe GAL·LA project was created as part of the first planetary art exhibit called "eARTh" curated by 350.org. It was created on the beach of the Delta del Ebro in Spain using shade material and wooden posts. Designed as a sun stencil, the piece was made to bring attention to the problem of sunlight/heat that cannot escape back into space because of greenhouse gases. I chose a little girl named Gal·la who lives in the Delta del Ebro and created this icon in her likeness, an icon to symbolize all the reasons for the world to act today. Her portrait was constructed using a labyrinth design to allude to the tenacity of the human spirit to find a solution.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Gal·la(10 of47)
2010 - Delta del Ebro, SpainThe GAL·LA project was created as part of the first planetary art exhibit called "eARTh" curated by 350.org. It was created on the beach of the Delta del Ebro in Spain using shade material and wooden posts. Designed as a sun stencil, the piece was made to bring attention to the problem of sunlight/heat that cannot escape back into space because of greenhouse gases. I chose a little girl named Gal·la who lives in the Delta del Ebro and created this icon in her likeness, an icon to symbolize all the reasons for the world to act today. Her portrait was constructed using a labyrinth design to allude to the tenacity of the human spirit to find a solution.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Composite Identity Badalona(11 of47)
2010 - Badalona, SpainThe Identity Composite/Badalona project consists of 3D facial scans of 34 people, one person from each of the 34 neighbourhoods of Badalona, Spain. These 34 scans were combined using an algorithm program to create a composite/average face. It was created for the IDENTITYS project that was developed by the Kognitif platform for the city of Badalona in July 2010.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Composite Identity UAB(12 of47)
2009 - Barcelona, SpainThe Identity Composite/UAB project consists of 3D facial scans of 100 people based on the demographic of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Catalonia Spain. It was created while taking part in the UAB Artist in Residence program.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Neuquen Barcelona(13 of47)
2002 - Barcelona, SpainMural created in the Horta neighbourhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Jordi Barcelona(14 of47)
2003 - Barcelona, SpainMural created in the Poble Nou neighborhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Ma Antonia, Josep, Dolors Barcelona(15 of47)
2003 - Barcelona, SpainMurals created in the Poble Nou neighbourhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Paco Barcelona(16 of47)
2004 - Barcelona, SpainMural created in the Barceloneta neighbourhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Maria Barcelona(17 of47)
2004 - Barcelona, SpainMural created in collaboration with Fundación Arte y Derecho in the Raval neighbourhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Concepcion Buenos Aires(18 of47)
2004 - Buenos Aires, ArgentinaMural created for the MALBA, Museum of Latin American Art from Buenos Aires.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Antonio Madrid(19 of47)
2005 - Madrid, SpainMural created for the TRANSURBANCIA exhibition at the Casa Encendida. Curated by Alba Lucia Romero and Fernando Rubio Ahumada.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Raquel-Maria Madrid(20 of47)
2006 - Madrid, SpainMural created for MADRID/PROCESOS in the Chamberi neighbourhood. Curated by AVAM and RMS la Asociación.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Jabonero Tudela(21 of47)
2006 - Tudela de Navarra, SpainMural created for the THE IDENTITY OF THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY solo exhibition at the Palace of the Marqués de San Adrián. Curated by Javier Briongos Ibáñez.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
(22 of47)
2006 - Tudela de Navarra, SpainMural created for the THE IDENTITY OF THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY solo exhibition at the Palace of the Marqués de San Adrián. Curated by Javier Briongos Ibáñez.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Emma Barcelona(23 of47)
2006 - Barcelona, SpainMural created for the INTERFERENCIA project.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Emma Barcelona(24 of47)
2006 - Barcelona, SpainMural created for the INTERFERENCIA project.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Daniel Madrid(25 of47)
2006 - Madrid, SpainMural created in collaboration with Petru near the Plaza de San Ildefonso in the Malasaña neighborhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Daniel Madrid(26 of47)
2006 - Madrid, SpainMural created in collaboration with Petru near the Plaza de San Ildefonso in the Malasaña neighborhood.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Sandra Sao Paulo(27 of47)
2007 - Sao Paulo, BrazilMural created for THE CONQUEST OF SPACE - NEW FORMS OF STREET ART exhibition at the SESC Pinheiros.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
David Vitoria(28 of47)
2007 - Vitoria, Basque Country, Spain.Mural created as part of the VARIACIONES CARTOGRÁFICAS exhibition at the Centro Cultural Montehermoso. Curated by Alba Lucía Romero. IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
(29 of47)
2007 - Vitoria, Basque Country, Spain.Mural created as part of the VARIACIONES CARTOGRÁFICAS exhibition at the Centro Cultural Montehermoso. Curated by Alba Lucía Romero. IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Maria Dolors Badalona(30 of47)
2008 - Badalona, SpainIMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Julio Granada(31 of47)
2008 - Granada, SpainMural created for INTERFERENCIA GRANADA.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Julio Granada(32 of47)
2008 - Granada, SpainMural created for INTERFERENCIA GRANADA.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
(33 of47)
2008 - Granada, SpainMural created for INTERFERENCIA GRANADA.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
David London(34 of47)
2008 - London, United Kingdom Mural created in collaboration with the Anipa gallery in Knightsbridge London.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Tina Ljubljana(35 of47)
2009 - Ljubljana, SlovaniaMural created for MoTA, Museum of Trasitory Art.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Tina Ljubljana(36 of47)
IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Santos Valencia(37 of47)
2009 - Valencia, SpainMural created for Observatori 2009 / An International Festival of Artistic Investigation in Valencia Spain.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Santos Valencia(38 of47)
2009 - Valencia, SpainMural created for Observatori 2009 / An International Festival of Artistic Investigation in Valencia Spain.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Aurelio Monterrey(39 of47)
2010 - Monterrey, MéxicoMural created in 2010 for the Seres Queridos Project in Monterrey Mexico in collaboration with the Marco Museum, Nobulo and Arto.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Aurelio Monterrey(40 of47)
2010 - Monterrey, MéxicoMural created in 2010 for the Seres Queridos Project in Monterrey Mexico in collaboration with the Marco Museum, Nobulo and Arto.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Chabalita Monterrey(41 of47)
2010 - Monterrey, MéxicoMural created in 2010 for the Seres Queridos Project in Monterrey Mexico in collaboration with the Marco Museum, Nobulo and Arto.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Chabalita Monterrey(42 of47)
2010 - Monterrey, MéxicoMural created in 2010 for the Seres Queridos Project in Monterrey Mexico in collaboration with the Marco Museum, Nobulo and Arto.IMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Manolo Buenos Aires(43 of47)
2012 - Buenos Aires, ArgentinaMural created in Colegiales neighborhood."I took a trip to Argentina to be with my wife's family to spread my father in law's ashes near the Sierra de la Ventana (one of his favorite places). He was an impressive man who loved culture. I enjoyed the way he looked at the world and the way he transmitted to those around him wisdom, simplicity and hope with his gaze. This is a new direction of permanent murals that I'll be doing more of in the near future."Jorge Rodríguez-GeradaIMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Yousif Manama Bahrain(44 of47)
2012 - Manama, Bahrain."I went to the city of Manama in Bahrain to make a mural as part of the Alwan 338 festival put together by the Al Riwaq Art Space. Knowing the current situation there, I was a little apprehensive but a good friend working with the gallery explained the special nature of what the Al Riwaq Art Space was doing. I met some truly extraordinary people who believe in the role of contemporary art in their country's future. Against all odds they strive to change the barren artistic landscape that exists in Bahrain today. There are so many layers to the place. There is a huge class division, exotic cars, colossal images of the king everywhere, boundless hospitality, arrests, the smell of tear gas every weekend, road blocks, women who can drive and are free to dress as they wish, a graffiti war between dissidents and the police, an American naval base since 1947, Fuddruckers, Sizzlers, a clamp down on dissident areas, the legal sale of alcoholic beverages, a rich cultural history...It is easy to resort to the didactic or aesthetically pleasing image, but it is much more difficult to create poetic and emotionaly charged art that can reach you at different levels. There are few Bahraini artists creating profound work about this multilayered place and time. Al Riwaq Art Space is trying to change that and I have nothing but admiration for their efforts. My Identity Series murals fade away with the wind and rain. I decided to create a mural of a traditional Bahraini fisherman, one of a few hundred that are left."Jorge Rodríguez-GeradaIMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
(45 of47)
2012 - Manama, Bahrain."I went to the city of Manama in Bahrain to make a mural as part of the Alwan 338 festival put together by the Al Riwaq Art Space. Knowing the current situation there, I was a little apprehensive but a good friend working with the gallery explained the special nature of what the Al Riwaq Art Space was doing. I met some truly extraordinary people who believe in the role of contemporary art in their country's future. Against all odds they strive to change the barren artistic landscape that exists in Bahrain today. There are so many layers to the place. There is a huge class division, exotic cars, colossal images of the king everywhere, boundless hospitality, arrests, the smell of tear gas every weekend, road blocks, women who can drive and are free to dress as they wish, a graffiti war between dissidents and the police, an American naval base since 1947, Fuddruckers, Sizzlers, a clamp down on dissident areas, the legal sale of alcoholic beverages, a rich cultural history...It is easy to resort to the didactic or aesthetically pleasing image, but it is much more difficult to create poetic and emotionaly charged art that can reach you at different levels. There are few Bahraini artists creating profound work about this multilayered place and time. Al Riwaq Art Space is trying to change that and I have nothing but admiration for their efforts. My Identity Series murals fade away with the wind and rain. I decided to create a mural of a traditional Bahraini fisherman, one of a few hundred that are left."Jorge Rodríguez-GeradaIMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Maria Tudela(46 of47)
2010 - Tudela, SpainIMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada
Maria Tudela(47 of47)
2010 - Tudela, SpainIMAGE: Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada