Since childhood, books, movies, and even members of our family have told us the phrase you can’t escape death However the street-artist Zed1’s most recent mural in Santander (Spain), that was curated by Desvelarte, poses a different sentiment titled “Alejar a la Muerte” or “Stay out of Death.”
Humanity aims to be healthy and lead well-balanced lives to keep the grim reaper far at bay. We live to grow as old as possible yet one day we all meet the same faith. This is the message behind Zed1’s most recent mural in Santander, Spain.
Zed1’s mural is a unique and provocative interpretation of facing death illustrated by a courageous knight who cuts through the sea with healthy ingredients such as spinach, blueberries, ginger and garlic. The illustration of the knight and grim reaper are enchanting, with delightful details of the knight fearlessly moving forward to face death with a carrot as a sword and a pomegranate shield. The inspiration for this mural came to the artist months ago when he decided to change his eating habits to be more healthy, although it didn’t last for too long.
The artist also faced some challenges with the concept. Public artwork, or a mural about Death’s presence was considered to be excessively gloomy, and many people thought it would scare children and upset the elderly. Even the managers of the local Desvelarte Festival were apprehensive. However, at the end everything went smoothly, and the city was gifted with an exceptional new mural that has conquered everyone’s heart, and fostered constructive discussions between locals of the neighborhood.
About the Artist
Marco Burresi, a.k.a Zed1 is an Italian street artist from Florence, Tuscany that began painting painting walls about 20 years ago. Best known for his murals of egg headed humans and imaginative creatures he’s traveled all over the world to paint murals and experiment with new techniques.
His artworks are often portrayed as stories that help the viewer appreciate not only the art itself but also the meaning behind it. All of his creations carry a message for society and themes that allow us all to reflect and learn.
Zed1: facebook | instagram
Desvelarte: website | facebook | instagram