Converse, the famous American shoe company, has come up with a creative green initiative called Converse City Forests to help make the environment better.
As part of this initiative, it is collaborating with artists across 13 cities in the world to create giant environmentally friendly murals that purify the air and protect people from noxious gases.
Two murals have already been erected in Bangkok in Thailand and Warsaw in Poland. The other cities in which the murals would be installed are Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Manila, Philippines; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Lima, Peru; Belgrade, Serbia; Santiago, Chile; Johannesburg, South Africa; Bogota, Cambodia; and Panama City.
The murals use a special photocatalytic paint that purifies the air. “This technology uses light energy to break down noxious air pollutants and convert them into harmless substances. Any surface coated with this paint becomes an active air-purifying surface that helps protect people from harmful gases,” Converse said.
For the mural in Thailand, Converse collaborated with local artists TRK (Teerayut Puechpen), a contemporary Thai street artist and Sorravis Prakong, a calligraphy and typography artist. The mural depicts two an image of holding hands, symbolizing unity.
TRK said, “I used the image of holding hands as a symbol for unity. I wanted to blend my style with Sorravis’. The most important thing was to communicate the unity of Thai people.”
Sorravis agrees, saying, “I don’t expect people will stop fighting just by seeing my work, but at least I can raise awareness to all the lovely things that happen if we’re united.”
This mural has the environmental impact of planting 150 trees.
For the mural installed in Warsaw, Converse collaborated with artists Dawid Ryski and Maciek Polak, both of whom are graphic designers and illustrators. The beautiful mural features the words “Create Together For Tomorrow” in the middle of buildings and flowers with smiley faces. Interestingly, the mural has the environmental impact of planting 780 trees or about 16 soccer fields.
Isn’t this a great initiative by Converse? To read more about this green project, click here.
