A mural that shines a light on the issue of family homelessness in Ireland has been unveiled in Dublin’s Temple Bar. It was created by street artist and activist Sarah Bracken Soper to raise awareness of the work and fundraising efforts of homelessness charity Focus Ireland.
Known for addressing social, cultural and climate justice issues, Soper’s artwork in this case is designed to be thought-provoking and start a conversation around the urgent issue of homelessness in Ireland. Taking inspiration from the fact that family homelessness can often be an unseen issue, the piece features two women locked in an embrace, with one clearly visible while the other appears as a shadow. The figure that is “seen” represents the empathy and generosity of the Irish public while the “unseen” shadow figure embodies the mothers of the thousands of families trapped in hidden homelessness. The creation of the mural coincided with a “sleepout” in Dublin highlighting the homelessness crisis and was featured on Irish news.
At present 14,486 people including 2,099 families and 4,419 children are currently experiencing homelessness in Ireland. Many of these families are based in unsuitable emergency accommodation, where living spaces can be confined to one room. The effects of this crisis are deeply felt all year round, and every day spent without a place to call home takes away a child’s sense of security and belonging.
Explaining why she was drawn to the issue of family homelessness, Sarah said, “I believe that the creation of art is an essential process in our understanding of the world, and a crucial tool for change and recovery. I hope anyone experiencing homelessness today in our society is able to draw some comfort from knowing there are many of us who care and are willing to take action.”
Jesse Wiesblatt of Focus Ireland explained why the scale and location of the mural in the center of Dublin is significant: “We all hear the reports of rising homelessness figures, and there are certain aspects of homelessness that are visible. But what most people don’t realize is that the numbers reported on a monthly basis only reflect the number of people accessing emergency accommodation.
This film captures the mural and is part of the overall campaign that seeks to raise awareness of homelessness–and raise funds to combat it.
CreditsClient Focus Ireland Jesse Wiesblatt, Julia Smith. Creative The Brill Building Peter Snodden, creative & installation lead, campaign creative; Eleanor McCarthy, project lead; John McMahon, Laurence O’Byrne, Shane O’Riordan, Gayle Briody, campaign creatives; Sarah Bracken Soper, artist; Johnny Savage, photographer; Derek Burke (Go Hire), logistics; Luke Sweetman, camera; David Christopher Lynch, camera, edit, motion & grade; Roisin Keown, executive creative director.
Barilla, LePub Navigate Subway Commute To “Togetherness”
On World Pasta Day, October 25, Barilla partnered with the NYC subway to turn its iconic “Spaghetti n°5” pasta boxes into “Togetherness Tickets,” offering free subway rides. At a special Barilla newsstand near Hudson Yards station, commuters could pick up a pasta box that, with a tech insert, worked like a regular subway ticket to open the turnstiles.
More than just a ticket, Barilla’s campaign was an invitation for individuals to step out of their solitary routines and connect with their loved ones over a delicious pasta meal. According to a global survey commissioned by Barilla in August 2023, 60% of respondents confessed to eating alone more frequently over the past two years, forsaking shared meals for a quick bite on their own.
The primary reason cited for this shift toward solitary dining is busy work schedules. A significant 48% of people surveyed lamented that their working hours kept them from sharing meals with their loved ones, highlighting the impact of our on-the-go lifestyles on quality time spent with family and friends. Additionally, geographical distances from family and friends contributed to the rise of solitary meals, with 37% acknowledging it as a growing obstacle.
Although people are increasingly eating alone, as a resounding 63% of people admitted to eating solo during the week, a remarkable 93% believe that regularly sharing meals has a positive impact on relationships with friends and family. Building on this emerging desire, Barilla wanted to remind us of the impact of food and more specifically pasta, in fostering better human connections.
Sometimes a friend or family member is just a few subway stops away. So get together and share a pasta meal with a box of Barilla, which also serves as a... Read More