New York City, 23 September 2024 - Four new gigantic murals now grace the Hudson Yards neighborhood of New York City, inspiring everyone who sees them to become allies for our planet. The artwork has been created by prominent artists and curated by the New York-based non-profit Street Art for Mankind (SAM). Two of the murals focus on urban and ocean ecosystem restoration, in partnership with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration which is co-led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The two others highlight sustainable plastic and fashion consumption and production.
The murals mark the launch of a new Climate Action Outdoor Museum, which will expand every year during Climate Week. This new series capitalizes on the success of the Ecosystem Restoration Mural unveiled at the Javits Center during Climate Week last year. It is part of the #ClimateActionMurals and #EcosystemRestorationMurals global series created by SAM in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and made possible with the support of the Michael and Rebecca Cemo Foundation, Manhattan Mini Storage, and the Javits Center.
These iconic murals rendered in the heart of Manhattan, aim to inspire people in their daily lives, educate them on complex environmental issues, and empower them to become actors of change on four key issues.
Two murals emphasize the restoration of ecosystems, aiming to strengthen the bond between humans and nature. A massive 13-story urban ecosystem restoration diptych mural by artist Millo, highlights the vital role nature plays for humans in cities; while a poetic ocean ecosystem restoration by artist Dulk honors local blue ecosystems and the ongoing efforts needed for healthier oceans. Dulk's work is enriched by his detailed observations of sea life, documented through his collaboration with National Geographic. The work celebrates that six big whale species are returning to New York City and celebrates the Hudson river’s most famous fish: The Atlantic sturgeon.
Another two works of street art highlight sustainable living and the impact of our daily choices on the environment. A striking mural on sustainable plastic practices created by artist Super A, encourages people to adopt new habits to reduce their plastic footprint and combat plastic pollution. Inspired by the Miraculous cartoon, popular among teenagers and young adults, it pays tribute to the new generation of change-makers. The mural also aligns with the need for an ambitious international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution that is currently being negotiated by countries around the world through the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee as convened by the United Nations Environment Assembly.
Finally, a 130-foot-wide sustainable fashion mural by artist Emily Ding invites people to reconsider their fashion aspirations in a world of overconsumption that harms our planet and contributes to social injustices globally. This mural aims to shift the fashion narrative towards more sustainable practices.
SAM’s free mobile app, Behind the Wall®, available on the Play Store and App Store, functions as an audio guide, allowing the public to embark on an art walk through Hudson Yards as if they were in a museum. Users can listen to advocates and experts discuss the issues at hand, hear artists speak about their work, and learn how they can take action to address environmental challenges.
QUOTES:
“While the UN is leading on coordination of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, restoring all ecosystems on Earth is a task too daunting for any one organization alone,” said Rafael Peralta, Regional Director for North America, United Nations Environment Programme. “That is why we are partnering with artists and their supporters – such as Street Art for Mankind - to build a broad-based global movement.”
“We hope this historic mural series will serve as a tangible symbol of climate optimism and action—a rallying cry to awaken the activist in all of us to fight for our beautiful planet. Why? Because climate action can't wait. While business leaders and political change-makers play a major role with policies, strategies, and funding behind closed doors, the true engine for change is the drive and action of the people. We need everyone on board to ‘win the race!” said Audrey and Thibault Decker, co-founders of Street Art for Mankind.
“We feel that the work being done through Street Art for Mankind and the United Nations Environment Programme is invaluable in creating awareness and discussions about small things that can be done by every person to help combat climate change. The Cemo Foundation is hopeful and honored to help promote this progressive message through art and see the change in the future.” said Stéphanie Cemo, Director of the Michael and Rebecca Cemo Foundation.
“Javits Center strives to be a model of sustainable practices for the events industry and our surrounding community, so we are honored to use our outdoor space for one of the four new murals being created during this year’s Climate Week,” said Alan Steel, Chief Executive Officer of Jacob K Javits Convention Center. “This is our second Street Art for Mankind mural, and we are thrilled to be included in this incredible effort to bring awareness of environmental issues and inspire action to create a more sustainable future. I hope the new murals will brighten up the day of people traveling through the west side, including our Javits customers and employees.”
Map: https://streetartmankind.org/climateactionnyc/
Visual Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1nyGLIoIw0VK4rqNd9NscVUsoYre3rhab
Required credit and tagging information:
Photo Credit: @dr_derek for @StreetArtMankind
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Artists
Dulk is a Spanish artist creating detailed murals that are the direct result of his travels to remote areas and his memories of natural wonders and wildlife.
Emily Ding is an American artist who draws inspiration from flora, fauna, and human temperament in her large-scale works, characterized by expressive figures.
Millo is an Italian artist known for large-scale murals featuring friendly inhabitants exploring their urban environments in surreal black-and-white line drawings.
Super A is a Dutch artist who employs traditional painting techniques and a flair for design to create compositions that transform familiar iconography into thought-provoking pieces.
About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 is a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems across the world, for the benefit of people and nature. It aims to halt the degradation of ecosystems and restore them to achieve global goals. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the UN Decade, which is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/
About Street Art for Mankind (SAM)
Street Art for Mankind (SAM) is a non-profit organization that curates and produces large murals around the world with prominent street artists. SAM’s goal is to raise awareness about social justice and environmental issues and to empower the public to become agents of change.
https://streetartmankind.org/ Instagram @streetartmankind - X @streetartmkind
About The Michael and Rebecca Cemo Family Foundation
The Michael and Rebecca Cemo Family Foundation (Cemo Foundation) was established in Houston, Texas, in 1996. Since then, our focus has been on supporting causes related to higher education, food insecurity, veterans' affairs, animal welfare, and social issues.
About the Javits Center
The Javits Center is more than just a convention center. Named after the legendary and lifelong New Yorker, Senator Jacob K. Javits, this self-sustaining New York icon has become a wildlife sanctuary, a community partner and a nationwide nexus where the latest ideas in business and pop culture converge under one very green roof. For more information, visit https://javitscenter.com/
For more information contact:
Audrey Decker, co-founder Street Art for Mankind & Artists: [email protected] +1 305 934 5501
Laura Fuller, Regional Information Officer, UNEP North America: [email protected]