CONSTRUYENDO EL FUTURO

Bloquera Cooperativo Futuro Ensensadense, Barrio Mosconi, Ensenada, Argentina
February 2009
Design: Greta McLain(USA) and Melina Slobodian (AR)

This project started with a conversation with the members of the Cooperativo Futuro Ensenadense form Barrio Mosconi. This cooperative was recently awarded a federal grant to build a working cement construction block factory in order to generate jobs. This community was hit hard with unemployment during the economic crisis of 2001. The idea of work as a vehicle to open the future, create community and as a base for family and solidarity among different groups of people came out as the focus for the mural design. Using these ideas, Melina Slobodian and I worked to fuse out diverse artistic styles and backgrounds to create a harmonious composition integrating symbols and images to communicate key themes identified in that initial conversation. After reviewing and revising the sketch with members of the cooperative in various other meetings we started painting. The mural highlights the family at the center as the foundation of community. The boy and girl hold a monarch butterfly (my signature as monarchs aren’t generally found in Argentina) which represents childhood, transformation and discovery. The man points the way towards the future, signaling work as a means of getting there with his hammer, while the woman holds the construction plans. From the plan fly doves, symbolizing the hope for a peaceful future. The theme of building and work is reinforced through the structure moving and supporting the whole design, while workers work together constructing a better tomorrow, encouraging cooperation and teamwork. In the background weaving its way along the horizon, the history of protest of the members of the Unión Vecinal de Mosconi is laid out, reminding us of the struggle and strength that is has taken to arrive at this point and encouraging us to keep fighting, to strive forever forward, constructing a better future.