How a Giant Mural is Changing the Air Quality in Mexico City

Environmental art has a long and rich history and includes a variety of different practices and movements. Many artists have been working hard to bring awareness to environmental issues, but new technologies have allowed for work to be taken one step further, and actually help save our planet.

The perfect example of contemporary environmental art is a giant mural on Reforma Avenue in Mexico City called “Soy Porque Somos” (which translates to I Am Because We Are) created by local art collective, Boa Mistura. Decorating the public space of Mexico City, the new environmentally-friendly mural serves a greater purpose than just beautifying the urban landscape.

As a part of the Absolute Street Trees project, the mural aims to improve air quality in the highly polluted city—Mexico City ranks 14th in the world and more than 60% of its citizens lack green areas. But you’re probably wondering, “How can a mural clean polluted air?”

The mural is created with special paint called Airlite that can actually improve air quality by emulating the process of photosynthesis. When the light comes in contact with the paint, it creates a chemical reaction which reduces pollutants like nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide.

“Our tree will contribute to eliminating the pollution equivalent to about 20,000 vehicles per year,” explains a Boa Mistrura rep.

At the same time, the piece presents a strong unifying message. The colorful mural was inspired by the tree of life, a common theme of the famous clay sculptures that originated in central Mexico.

“They are a part of the identity of the Mexican people, very present in the imagery of the country. Historically, the trees of life have been used to tell stories. From the first sculptures, in an early colonial period, that told us the history of creation, to more current crafts that speak of the duality between life and death or the relationship of man with the natural world. From respect and admiration to a tradition so rooted in Mexico, we interpret the shapes, rhythms and colors of these crafts to create our own tree of life, and give it a new story.”

So not only is this gorgeous mural purifying the air in the highly congested street in Mexico City, it also spreads the message of unity and being one with nature and each other, while celebrating diversity and uniqueness of each human being.

“We are all unique beings, we shine individually with our differences, our rarities, our shortcomings and our virtues. But each one of us is an indispensable part of a whole. We are leaves of the same tree, with our nuances, but with the same root. United by the same trunk. Our tree speaks of diversity, of the differences that make us unique.”

Two other murals will be painted by Mexican artists Seher One and Revost. You can follow and support the work of Boa Mistura art group on Instagram and Facebook.