Covered in Nature

Giant Mural Art: Mateo Lara
Storytelling: Oana Maroti

The town gets crowded often, whether with tourists, whether with festivities, or both at the same time. Sometimes it feels like escaping, getting out of all the crowded shopping atmosphere and the train connections saves the day in such a case. The Rodalies, regional, cercanías trains can take you to some small towns or villages, more quiet areas, perfect for exploring and usually richer in vegetation.

I was on the train to Granollers, thinking about getting off at a new station and exploring the surroundings, and while I was standing by the window the painting of a gigantic strong woman, just before the Moncada and Reixac station a lady of the seasons appeared integrated into nature and accompanied by birds and a fox. I was impressed and quickly decided this would be the place to explore, even though it was so close to Barcelona that I couldn't believe I hadn't explored it before.

This is an example of an inclusive project. Underground culture has the great quality of exposing culture without being demanding. This giant mural is cozy in the neighborhood and not intimidating.

It´s the painting of the 2 building facades, 700m of transformed walls and it´s difficult not to admire how much it changes the landscape, making the rail and the La Ribera balconies look extra interesting.

I took my time admiring and had a bocadillo in front of the painting and while chewing my food, 2 ladies approached me in Spanish, saying Hola! As I responded, they started telling me how lovely the mural was. They were proud to live nearby, and had no idea who painted it, but were joking that since the building looks so wonderful now, they go out often, more than before that maybe they would only take out the trash.

There was only one problem for the 3rd age, who liked to sit down and contemplate. The benches and the sitting down possibility were orientated reverse to the painting. - Nos duele el cuello por mirarla, they said, laughing.

Apart from the car parking disturbance, obturating the lower part, there is good visibility to the composition.

On the left building, a beautiful giant fox shows a furry profile, next to a group of dandelions, whilst ducks are flying above the river. This building has windows only on the middle, therefore the artist made sure to include some extra windows on the laterals, changing totally the perspective of a closed wall.

The building on the right is painted with a giant woman's profile in harmony with nature, and wearing a straw hat, a field worker´s hat. Her hair is made of branches and her head and body are covered in water. On the hat and all over the body the flora diversity and a bird, a spotted nutcracker, I think.

While the touristic areas with access to the sea are getting crowded, the less touristic towns are quite refreshing and make a preferred destination for a train escape.

Towns affected by industrialization, that plan to protect biodiversity have now the advantage of painting some grey walls and adopting a cyber-punk look, to attract tourism. Besides, the locals enjoy it.

I will definitely go back. During summer it can be a better shade alternative to what Barcelona has to offer and the ladies were wonderful and this is atypical here.