Le jeu of creators

Rubén Carrasco's work often evokes mythical and metaphorical aspects of native cultures. This large-scale piece in a Montreal sports center is an excellent example of his thematic line, technique and style. For this mural, the inspiration comes from the immediate context and the everyday uses of the building (a sports center in front of a park), while borrowing from aspects of Canadian culture and ancestral American cultures. With only a few elements, he represents the connection between traditions, myths of native peoples and the relationship between humans and nature. The central character is a lacrosse goalkeeper, dressed with ornaments and protections from native cultures of North America; while on his legs he draws the plumage of Coatlicue, the Aztec mother goddess, considered the procreator and the god of war. "This allowed me to symbolically unite north and south," says the artist. Lacrosse is a traditional sport in Canada, similar to hockey, played by the First Nations of North America before the arrival of Europeans for ritual and political purposes. "In the myths it is said that this game was initially exclusive to the creators and different species of animals before being played by humans," says Carrasco, who lives in Montreal. "I started traveling to Canada in 2000, and decided to immigrate here in 2009, so this closeness with Canadian culture has led me to discover part of its history, traditions and connections with the first peoples that developed in this part of the continent. One of the aspects that strikes me most about any society is its way of relating to the planet". Carrasco used a dry brush technique, which consumes up to 70% less paint. In this way, not only did he adapt the mural well to the texture of the wall, but he also acted in congruence with his conviction to be respectful of the environment and managed to significantly reduce the materials without compromising his style. Only seven liters of acrylic paint were used to create this 11.5 by 25.5 meter piece.