Over the years we’ve come to understand that the motivation behind so many of the great peices of urban art for the artist to take buildings that have been neglected and forgotten and to make them beautiful with art. 

We absolutely love this massive mural that Dre Urhahn and Jeroen Koolhaas did in Vila Cruzeiro, one of the most violent favelas in Rio de Janeiro. The artists painted together with two local kids from the community. Its amazing how the colors of the piece contrast with the grey building around it.

You can see a lot more about this terrific project here.