A mural referencing the scourge of gender violence, created by a European artist preferring anonymity who goes under the name “Capitán Haddock,” was unveiled this week on the Rambla Cataluña, the pedestrian arcade running alongside the Universidad de Guadalajara rectory building, which also houses the Museo de Arte Moderno.
“Señales de Auxilio” shows the image of the one-handed gesture for help that was launched early in the Covid pandemic to address the worldwide rise in domestic violence. It involves putting your palm up, tucking your thumb in, and closing your fingers. The gesture, created by the Women’s Funding Network and the Canadian Women’s Foundation, was developed to be silently displayed during video calls, to alert family, friends or colleagues that an individual needs help. It can also be used in other situations, such as when answering the door.
“It is important for everyone to know about this hand message,” Capitán Haddock said in a statement.
The mural, measuring 11 by 36 meters, also features images of the hands of four females between 12 to 84.
Another aspect of the project will see messages about gender violence written by UdG high school students displayed on screens along the Rambla Cataluña.
The project was developed in a collaborative initiative between the UdG and Macho Mx, an NGO that works to visibilize and prevent gender violence.