After living through one of the most difficult nights of his life and that of his community, Valencia-based graphic designer Michael Barros, originally from Sangolquí (Ecuador), found in art a way to transform the pain that ravaged Valencia last October 29 into memory.
Inspired by the tiles of the flood of 1957, he created unique pieces that reflect the improvised paths and resilience of his people after the disaster of the dana. with the slogan “Fins ací va arribar la riuà”.
“These tiles are to remember, so that it doesn’t happen again,” explains Barros, who began by giving them away to neighbors and friends in Benetússer.
The project, born from the need for expression and tribute, has become a symbol of unity and resistance and has overflowed the artist’s forecasts.
“I looked to see if I had tiles at home, and with only 98 of them, I began to walk the streets of Benetússer, I passed by those small businesses that were beginning to resurface, and gave hope and strength to the rest; I gave them away to friends and neighbors; but the ‘word of mouth’, made that, even without profit, I had to put a minimum price to meet the expenses,” he stresses.
With a palette of earthy colors that recalls the catastrophe and a stripe that symbolizes the walkway that brought families together, the initiative highlights a message that resonated among the volunteers: “Sols el poble salva al poble” (Only the people save the people).
What started as a personal gesture has gained traction in the community, which now fills its Instagram inbox as requests to distribute these tiles in Picanya, Paiporta or Catarroja.
“So that it is not forgotten that, while we had been drowning for hours, the emergency alarms sounded at 8:11 pm,” he concludes.
Michael Barros attends requests through his Instagram.