Earlier this year I visited Brazil. Between Carnaval parties, I came across the Escadaria Selarón steps. Started in 1990, the steps are the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. Wedged between Lapa and Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, the steps serve as a haven where the community can go and enjoy the beauty of the tiles, chat with Selarón, and enjoy the occasional joint – it is said to be legal to smoke on the stairs. The stairs gained worldwide recognition after being featured in the video Beautiful by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell.What I found most interesting about the Escadaria Selarón was the fact that a vast number of the tiles are donated from visitors around the world. If you take a close look, almost every country had a tile to represent it. The stairs are a worldwide community art project, with Selarón as the art director.

Earlier this year I visited Brazil. Between Carnaval parties, I came across the Escadaria Selarón steps. Started in 1990, the steps are the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón.

Wedged between Lapa and Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, the steps serve as a haven where the community can go and enjoy the beauty of the tiles, chat with Selarón, and enjoy the occasional joint – it is said to be legal to smoke on the stairs. The stairs gained worldwide recognition after being featured in the video Beautiful by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell.

What I found most interesting about the Escadaria Selarón was the fact that a vast number of the tiles are donated from visitors around the world. If you take a close look, almost every country had a tile to represent it. The stairs are a worldwide community art project, with Selarón as the art director.

← Previous post
Next post →