The Casas Vivas project of the Fundashon Ser’i Otrobanda has been steadily livening up ruinous houses in the Otrobanda area for a good couple of months now. Instituto Buena Bista (IBB) got a chance to participate in this project by tackling a big two story house right on the cruise terminal.

This mural was initiated with the aim to improve the atmosphere of the neighborhood and also to create a learning experience for the students of IBB. It was chosen to involve the neighborhood residents in the project through interviews and participation due to IBB’s focus on social engagement. The stories of the neighborhood residents in combination with the fantasy of the students was the starting point for this mural. The use of black and white paint was chosen for compositional reasons and to create a contrast that enhances the surroundings.

Together with the murals there are also a set of installations made by a group of students under the guidance of intern Luul Leytens. This group focused on the rasta who inhabits the building. He runs the locally known ‘rasta car wash’ from this spot and the students decided to ‘bling’ it up a bit. They made a collection of installations revolving around the theme of ‘Bling Car Wash’.