A Brazilian’s Take on Legalizing Graffiti In Urban Streets of Brazil

In Brazil graffiti used to be considered illegal. Not seen as a form of artistic expression, graffiti was banned from all public spaces, while the “grafiteiros” (taggers) risked their lives in the middle of the night climbing walls and fences in order to leave their mark. The issue is that the grafiteiro just “wants to put his name on the wall, to be famous, and is a vandalist, but the [street] artist is interested in aesthetics and community”, says Rio street artist Smael Vagner.

Pichação (tagging) and grafite (graffiti) are two distinctive street art styles in Brazil. And it’s been a long journey for these street artists to convince the population, the city and the nation that their work is art, something that should be appreciated and valued.

Graffiti or street art increased so much in popularity and started getting large attention of street artists from around the world, that in March 2009, the Brazilian government passed a law making street art and graffiti legal, if done with the consent of building owners.

It is a huge step towards recognition, appreciation, reflection of the evolving landscape in Brazilian street art, an emerging and divergent movement in the global street art landscape. More than that, graffiti in Brazil is being used now to protect façades from pichação. Interestingly, some kind of ethic code in the graffiti world seems to exist between taggers and street artists; a tagger who imprints his marks on top of another street art is ultimately insulting the street artist, which is seen as breaking a “silent” code. It could even endanger in a dangerous rivalry between the two of them, something that the city, the people and the nation do not want to see: more violence.

In Rio de Janeiro, graffiti is everywhere. It exists in all corners of the city, from the favelas to upper class neighborhoods, from residential, commercial to institutional. It is bold in scale and aesthetics and is anything but graffiti. But graffiti art is not only an aesthetic choice, but an economic choice; painting a façade with art may be cheaper than another mode of beautification.

Personally, I think grafite brings more than decoration to a neighborhood, gives its people and its community a more personal feeling, brings the people closer to each other and to the community itself, refreshes the site, signals thieves and vandalists that the community cares about its people and that is not a place for them, offers citizens the opportunity to voice their opinion by art expression and young people to have a new perspective in life. Hence, street art has a crucial societal role in Brazil, and in many other countries. And I really hope street art movement never stops, keeps progressing and improving till the day people, communities, cities, states and nation are all together supporting an environment in which it can prosper.

Shanghai Metal Corporation does not take part in any kinds of vandalism. We proud ourselves for witnessing efforts in bringing hope to the society. Shanghai Metal Corporation offers a wider range of metal products, including aluminum sheet, plate and foil, extensively used in spraypaint cans adopted in the work of street artists. For our full list of products that we offer check out our website here. Be sure to join the conversation in our LinkedIn group,Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Try also our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

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Source: huffingtonpost.com

Pictures: gettyimages, reuters, Michelle Young, literaturariodejaneiro.com, homegrownrio.blogspot.com, noticiasuol, fecortes.com.br 

Camilla G.//SMC Editor

You Will Like This New Concept: “Little Saturday”

Little Saturday is a concept adopted in Norway, Finland and Sweden, that adds Wednesday to the list of “drinking days”, with Friday and Saturday. Many nightclubs and bars stay open late and offer many kinds of little Saturday specials (rock shows, cheaper drinks etc.). Norwegian teenagers and young adults often use Lille Lørdag as a synonym for Wednesday (Onsdag in Norwegian.) The same concept also exists in some other Nordic countries. In Sweden it is known as Lill-Lördag and in Finland it is called pikkulauantai.

So if you feel for a little break during your week, you could call in some friends to go hang out at pubs, drink some beer, such as BudLight Platinum, the first beer to adopt a twist-off cap, and a 50% stronger aluminum that helps the beer get colder faster, as we blogged here.

However, if you choose to go for the conventional beer can you could even collect the aluminum pulltabs to make a fashionable and modern handbag such as the ones specially designed and crafted by Escama Studio craftwomen in Brazil.

Instead of beer you go for wine, you will have to consider going for the cork or screw-cap for your wine bottle. The advantages of each bottle you can find in our article here.

Of course you cannot drink on empty stomach. So if you snack on some potato chips, don’t forget to do the test to find out whether or not your potato chip bags are made of aluminum or Mylar, a fusion of plastic film with a sort of metallic ink, which make it not recyclable, as we explained here.

Any choice you make to provide your week that early weekend break widely adopted in Norway, Sweden and Finland, gives you the opportunity to act more environment-friendly and give the disposals of your enjoyment a proper treatment.

Shanghai Metal Corporation offers a wide array of aluminum metal products, in varying forms, sizes and for a number of applications. For our full list of products that we offer check out our website here. Be sure to join the conversation in our LinkedIn group, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Try also our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

You can also read more articles by our team at SMC:

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Source: Wikipedia

Pictures: escamastudio.com, crescentbeer

Camilla G.//SMC Editor

For Our Brazilian Readers: Cooperativa Brasileira “Escama Studio” Transforma Anel De Latinha De Alumínio Em Moda

Cooperativas de artesanato, também conhecidas como empresas sociais, agora estão encontrando novos meios para capacitar os membros de suas comunidades a ganhar dinheiro.

“Escama Studio”, o que significa escamas de peixe em Português, é uma cooperativa brasileira de arte que oferece mulheres das “cidades satélites” de Brasilia práticas de negócios a serem empregadas na produção manual de bolsas usando anel de latas de alumínio reciclado como matéria-prima principal.

Bolsa da Escama Studio

As artesãs recebem formação profissional e são pagas por seu trabalho por peça, cujo preço é fixado pela cooperativa. As bolsas da Escama Studio são éticas e ecologicamente corretas, uma vez que são produzidas inteiramente a partir de materiais reciclados – há bolsas que utilizam mais de 700 anéis de lata de alumínio reciclados partir de latas de refrigerante no Brasil. Cada peça vem com a assinatura da pessoa que a fez. No site da cooperativa os perfis de artistas e imagem são disponibilizados ao público, onde você pode deixar uma mensagem para a artesã. Além disso, Escama Studio doa 3% do produto interno bruto das vendas anuais diretamente à cooperativa.

Artesãs da Escama Studio

A maioria dos anéis de alumínio usados na produção das bolsas ecológicas são feitos de alumínio (75%). Outro material mais raro que também é usado para produzir lingüetas é aço galvanizado, que representa o restante da produção mundial de anéis (25%). Esses anéis de alumínio são conhecidos como “stay-on-tab”, inventado por Ermal Fraze e Omar Brown. A versão “stay-on-tab” representa o fim da versão ecológica “easy-open”, substituindo a antiga tampa lisa (conhecida como concha), a fim de reduzir as lesões e lixo em beira de estrada devido aos separadores removíveis. O novo mecanismo utiliza um guia separado ligado à superfície superior como uma alavanca para comprimir uma parte marcada na tampa, esta se dobra para baixo do topo da lata e para fora do caminho da abertura.

Bolsas da Escama Studio e o nome de suas artesãs

A produção mundial de todas as latas de bebida é de aproximadamente 475,000 milhões de latas por ano em todo o mundo, 100 bilhões por ano em os EUA, 52 bilhões por ano na Europa, crescendo cerca de 3% ao ano.

A reciclagem dos anéis de alumínio é definitivamente uma maneira inteligente e muito criativa que realmente faz você se sentir como se estivesse fazendo algo de positivo para o planeta.

Anel de alumínio na versão “stay-on-tab”

Shanghai Metal Corporation não leva vantagem na compra e venda de bolsas. Orgulhamo-nos das iniciativas como a da Escama Studio, uma cooperativa de empoderamento que traz esperança e felicidade para a comunidade e a sociedade como um todo.

Shanghai Metal Corporation oferece uma grande variedade de folha de alumínio (placa de alumínio) utilizado na produção de latas de bebidas, tampas e anéis. Para a nossa lista completa de produtos que oferecemos, confira o nosso site aqui. Certifique-se também de participar da conversa em nosso grupo LinkedIn, Facebook e Twitter. Experimente o nosso novo aplicativo móvel digitalizando o código QR ​​abaixo.

Você também pode ler mais artigos por nossa equipe no SMC:

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Fonte: inhabitat.com, Wikipedia

Fotos: escama.com

Camilla G.//Editora da SMC

Recycled Aluminum Pulltabs Made Popular By The Brazilian Cooperative “Escama Studio”

Craft cooperatives, also known as social enterprises, are now finding new means to empower members of their communities to earn money.

“Escama Studio”, which means fish scales in Portuguese, is a Brazilian craft cooperative offering women in the ‘satellite cities’ of Brasília business practices in hand production of bags using recycled aluminum pulltabs as main raw material.

Escama Studio’s craftwomen

The craftswomen receive business training and are fairly paid for their piecework with a price set by the cooperative. Escama’s purses are as ethical and eco-friendly as they are made entirely from recycled materials – some of the bags uses over 700 aluminum pull-tabs recycled from soda cans in Brazil. Each piece comes with a hang tag bearing the signature of the person who made it. On their website the artist profiles and picture are made available to the public, where you could leave a message to the artist.  In addition, Escama donates 3 percent of gross annual sales directly back to the cooperatives.

Escama Studio’s handbags and their respective craftwomen’s name

“Stay-on-tab” pulltab version used in the production of handbags

The majority of the beverage cans’ pulltabs used in the production of the eco-friendly handbags are made of aluminium (75 percent). Another more rare material used to produce pulltabs is tin-plated steel, which accounts for the rest of the worldwide production of pulltabs (25 percent). These pulltabs are known as “stay-on-tab”, invented by Ermal Fraze and Omar Brown. The “stay-on-tab” version features the “easy-open ecology end” which replaced old plain lids (known as shells) in order to reduce injuries and roadside litter caused by removable tabs. The mechanism uses a separate tab attached to the upper surface as a lever to depress a scored part of the lid, which folds underneath the top of the can and out of the way of the resulting opening.

Worldwide production for all beverage cans is approximately 475 billion cans per year worldwide, 100 billion per year in the US, 52 billion per year in Europe, growing about 3 percent annually. Recycling the aluminum pulltabs is definitely a clever and very creative way that actually makes you feel like you are doing something positive for the planet.

Shanghai Metal Corporation does not take any part in the handbag purchase. We are proud of initiatives such as Escama Studio as an empowering cooperative bringing hope and happiness to the community and the society as a whole.

Escama Studio’s handbag collection

Shanghai Metal Corporation offers a wide array of aluminum sheet (aluminum plate) used in the production of beverage can, caps and ring-pull. For our full list of products that we offer check out our website here. Be sure to join the conversation in our LinkedIn group, Facebook, and Twitter. Try also our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

You can also read more articles by our team at SMC:

NEW IPHONE6 CASES LEAKED BY A SMARTPHONE DESIGN COMPANY

INSIDE ROCKETS: THE ROLE OF ICE AND ALUMINUM

ALUMINUM EXHIBITION ENCOURAGES IMAGINATION IN ENGINEERING

THE NEW RECLOSABLE SCREW-TOP ALUMINUM BOTTLE FOR YOUR BEER

GIVE A LOOK OF LUXURY TO YOUR BEAUTY PACKAGE

LIQUID PACKAGING MADE FAMOUS BY A WATCH COMPANY

5 MODERN INNOVATIVE PACKAGING CONCEPTS

WORLD’S MOST ICONIC SPORTING VENUES UTILIZE ALUMINUM TO PORTRAY MODERN FEEL

FOR OUR SWEDISH READERS: TRÖTT? ANVÄND RULLTRAPPAN!

TIRED? USE THE ESCALATOR!

ALUMINUM ENSURES SMOOTH SAILING AT SEA

FOR OUR BRAZILIAN READERS: ANÁLISE DO SETOR DE ALUMÍNIO NO BRASIL

THE TRUTH IS REVEALED ABOUT THE HEALTH CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH ALUMINUM COOKWARE

FULL-METAL DRESS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

THE EXOTIC TITANIUM BICYCLE

CORK OR SCREW CAP FOR YOUR WINE BOTTLE?

MIX OF ICE AND ALUMINUM AS ROCKET FUEL

FOOD TRUCKS INDUSTRY SWITCHING FROM CHEESEBURGERS AND FRIES TO LETTUCE WRAPS AND KALE CHIPS

AVIATION MADE POSSIBLE BY LIGHT WEIGHT ALUMINUM: A BRIEF HISTORY

2015 LUXURY VEHICLES EMPHASIZE ALUMINUM COMPONENTS

IN ECONOMIC TURMOIL, ENVIRONMENT REMAINS KEY

ICONIC ALUMINUM ROOFING AROUND THE WORLD

FOR OUR CHINESE READERS: 日本不锈钢产业进口

SMC #BuildingValueAcrossTheGlobe

Sources: inhabitat.com, Wikipedia

Pictures: escama.com

Camilla G.//SMC Editor

Aluminum Industry Analysis in Brazil

Growing demand for aluminum in Brazil is powered by the packaging, transportation and construction industries. Aluminum foil is used in flexible packaging and many consumer products are making the transition in packaging material, leading to greater demand across the world.  Increases in demand for transportation and construction needs are powered by the 2014 World Cup and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, where extrusion-related programs include stadiums and airports. The Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL) technical director Arton Filletti says “We also see great potential for extrusions in other modes of people transport, such as railways, urban surface trains and subways.” He also sees potential in the shipping and offshore industry.

Four industries account for three quarters of aluminum consumption in Brazil.

 

Aluminum is on the rise in the auto industry and has plenty of room for growth in Brazil. In 2013, vehicles produced domestically have average aluminum content per vehicle at around 110 pounds. In leading markets such as the U.S. and Europe, average aluminum content per vehicle exceeds 300 pounds. Inovar Auto is a government program established to boost vehicle technology innovation should raise demand by the industry as well as tax breaks for cars that reach a set level of energy efficiency. Demand should increase for aluminum since it is known to make cars lighter and run more efficiently.

Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park will be located next to the water’s edge in the Barra area of the the city and is set to be used in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Brazil dropped to 8^th from 6^th largest producer globally as production of primary aluminum fell 9.2%. The main barrier is poor competitiveness in the cost of electricity. Last year, Brazil dropped to 8^th from 6^th largest producer globally.  The loss of competitiveness will mean that Brazil will have to become a net importer of aluminum. The People’s Republic of China remains at the top of the list and Shanghai Metal Corporations is a leading manufacturer in Aluminum sheets and plates committed to providing value-added quality products with competitive pricing and prompt delivery. Our group of competent engineers develops and improves our products using specially design and advanced equipment to meet the special needs to our clients. To find out more about our wide variety of products check out our website here.

Sources: The Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL), Bain & Company