The latest project by urban land artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada is best seen from the air, like much of his work. Created to raise awareness for the oldest International Women's fund, the soil portrait measures 125 by 170 meters larger than a football field and incorporated no less than 8 km rope, 7 tons of straw, 150 cubic meter of soil, 300 cubic meters of sand and 1150 wooden poles. 
Mama Cash asked Rodriguez-Gerada to create a large scale art piece in Amsterdam on International Human Rights Day – Dec. 10, 2012 – to bring attention to their latest campaign, "Open Your Eyes," to raise awareness about Mesoamerican women who defend human rights.
The press release:
Groundbreaking launch of the Vogelvrije Vrouwen* women human rights’ defenders campaign (Amsterdam)
Internationally renowned urban and terrestrial artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada has come to Amsterdam (Zuiderzeedijk) to create a huge land portrait, made of fertile soil, spanning almost two football fields, to launch the campaign Vogelvrije Vrouwen – Defend women who defend human rights!, an initiative in support of women human rights defenders in Mesoamerica.
The portrait - the largest ever on Dutch soil - shows a fragment of the face of an anonymous MesoAmerican woman human rights activist. It was commissioned by feminist foundation Mama Cash and created in one week with the help of 80 volunteers by Cuban American artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada. Rodriguez-Gerada is known for his spectacular temporary urban art projects all over the world.
The portrait measures 125 by 170 meters larger than a football field. There were no less than 8 km rope, 7 tons of straw, 150 cubic meter of soil, 300 cubic meters of sand and 1150 wooden poles needed to make the portrait. The contours will slowly fade under the influence of wind and weather.
Making of Images:
to see more photos of the process, go here.
* The phrase Vogelvrije Vrouwen in Dutch has deep literal and figurative meaning. 'Vogelvrije' literally means 'free as a bird' but also has the connotation of a person who is outside the boundaries of the legal system, someone who is not protected by the law. 'Vrouwen' means 'women', thus the campaign slogan, Vogelvrije Vrouwen, sheds light on the women whose struggles for justice and freedom are threatened by institutionalised impunity.
About the Vogelvrije Vrouwen campaign:
International women’s fund Mama Cash and the Mesoamerican Initiative for Women Human Rights Defenders are launching the Vogelvrije Vrouwen campaign – Defend women who defend human rights! to call attention to the violent situation faced by women human rights defenders in the Mesoamerican region. The project is funded by the Dutch Postcode Lottery. It is difficult to imagine living in a context where violence is ‘normal’, where criminality and corruption are rampant, and where the government does little to protect you and where people risk their lives by daring to denounce violence, criminality and the violation of human rights. But this is the daily reality in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Dozens of women’s rights activists are murdered there each year. And others are threatened and raped, their houses set on fire and their families terrorised.
During the coming year, the Vogelvrije Vrouwen campaign (www.vogelvrijevrouwen.nl) will give visibility to the imperative work being done by Mesoamerican women’s rights activists. The campaign will provide the Dutch public with petitions and other means to put pressure on the Dutch government and governments in the Mesoamerican region to make the defense of women human rights activists a priority. This campaign is made possible by a grant from the Dutch Postcode Lottery.
images courtesy of Vogelvrije Vrouwen and Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada
The Largest Portrait Ever On Dutch Soil - Created To Promote Women's Rights.
Over The Shoulder Boulder Holders Get Their Own Travel Case. The CupCase.
CupCases are a pretty nifty invention for those women who want to keep their bras in a place where they won't get smushed, torn or misshapen when traveling short (like the gym) or long (like across the ocean) distances.
With the price of brassieres these days, and how hard it is to find one you love, it's nice to have something to keep them from getting squished in one's suitcase or travel bag (or God forbid, the bottom of your purse).
CupCases come in the following styles:
A CupCase is not only a storage case for your bras; it can also hold jewelry, hair-ties & other small accessories while you travel!
• Durable
• Portable
• Stylish
• Protect bras from crimping, crushing and creasing
• Carry as a purse
A video showing you how they work:
Support Finding A Cure during October:
CupCases
Two Comic Approaches To Breast Cancer Awareness. I Don't Mean Funny, I Mean Superheroes.
The news has just broken that Marvel Entertainment will be launching a month-long campaign in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with special variant covers on select October titles and educational material on Marvel.com.
Clad in Pink versions of their famous costumes, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Wolverine and more will be helping to increase awareness of the ways to fight—and reduce-- this risk of this disease.
The comic books, on-sale in October (US and Canada only) that will feature the special Susan G. Komen variant covers: AVENGERS #31, CAPTAIN AMERICA #18, CAPTAIN MARVEL #5, FANTASTIC FOUR #611, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #526, MIGHTY THOR #21, UNCANNY X-MEN #20, WOLVERINE #315
Nobody's Immune To Breast Cancer
I can't mention 'Comics' and 'Curing Breast Cancer' in the same breath without sharing this wonderful ad campaign by DDB Mozambique with you.
Illustrated by Maísa Chaves, this four ad print campaign features famous female superheroes (She-Hulk, Wonder Woman, Storm and Catwoman):
The above ads feature the copy “Nobody’s immune to breast cancer. When we talk about breast cancer, there’s no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against the enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor.”
Full campaign credits:
Advertising Agency: DDB, Maputo, Mozambique
Creative Directors: Anderson Lima, Zeca de Oliveira
Creatives: Sara Vale, Christiano Vendramine, Erick Vasconcelos
Illustrator: Maísa Chaves (me)
Graphic producers: Faruk Issufo, Mauro Mussagy
Planner: Cristiana Oliveira
Accounts: Vasco Rocha, Christine Ramela, Fernanda Neves
Media: Khida Ismael"
Graphic producers: Faruk Issufo, Mauro Mussagy
Planner: Cristiana Oliveira
Accounts: Vasco Rocha, Christine Ramela, Fernanda Neves
Media: Khida Ismael"
Help support finding a cure, visit Susan G. Komen For The Cure and find out how.
